First Lady Launches National Community Food Bank Programme for North-West

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday launched the National Community Food Bank Programme for the North-West geopolitical zone in Jigawa State as part of efforts to combat malnutrition and improve food security across the country.

The programme was unveiled in Hadejia and is designed to provide nutritional support to vulnerable groups, particularly children under the age of six, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Speaking during the launch, Senator Tinubu described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at reducing the growing burden of malnutrition in Nigeria and ensuring that vulnerable citizens have access to nutritious food.

She noted that the programme reflects the commitment of the Federal Government to improving the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially children whose growth and development depend on adequate nutrition.

“Considering the severity of malnutrition in our country, there is an urgent need to take decisive action to ensure that our children receive the nutrition they need for proper growth and development,” the First Lady said.

According to her, community food banks will be established close to Primary Healthcare Centres to make food assistance easily accessible to beneficiaries.

She explained that pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers would receive food items free of charge to improve maternal health and ensure children receive adequate nutrition during their early stages of life.

Senator Tinubu stated that the programme is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on strengthening healthcare delivery and enhancing food security nationwide.

She added that the initiative is being implemented through collaboration between the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Bank of Agriculture.

The First Lady also commended governors from the North-West region for supporting the implementation of the programme and urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure its success.

In his remarks, Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, welcomed the initiative and pledged the state government’s full cooperation in ensuring effective implementation across communities.

The launch comes amid growing concerns over rising malnutrition rates in northern Nigeria.

According to recent figures from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, severe malnutrition cases across northern states increased by 145 per cent between 2021 and 2024 due to inflation, food insecurity, insecurity and declining humanitarian assistance.

The Federal Government expressed optimism that the programme would help improve nutritional outcomes and strengthen community health across the region.