The National Community Food Bank Programme secured pledges exceeding ₦66bn on Thursday during its launch and Board of Trustees inauguration at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
During the event hosted by Oluremi Tinubu, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed the total commitments in his keynote address.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation led private sector donations with a ₦20bn in-kind pledge spanning five years, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited followed with a ₦10bn commitment over the same period.
Other contributions included ₦500m from the Emeka Offor Foundation and $500,000 (about ₦750m) from anonymous associates of the First Lady.
Pate also revealed that Bola Tinubu approved a ₦17bn intervention through the Social Action Fund to support the initiative.
“His Excellency, Mr President, has already approved the special intervention of N17bn through the Social Action Fund that will procure, using the community-based procurement platform in each of the wards of our country, with a simplified procurement mechanism to buy locally,” Pate stated.
He added that if all 36 state governors contribute ₦500m each, an additional ₦18bn would be generated, raising the total to over ₦66bn.
“We’ve pleaded with their excellencies, the executive governors of our 36 states, if they can also match what the Federal Government will do, because the spending will be local, will be in wards and local governments.
“If every state contributes just 500 million naira, that will right there and then match what the Federal Government is putting on the table,” he said.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, assured that he would engage fellow governors on the counterpart funding.
“The NGF stands ready to work closely with the Federal Government. I’ll confer with my colleagues… we’ll present a counterpart fund that will closely align with what the Federal Government is donating,” AbdulRazaq stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou reaffirmed the ₦20bn pledge, urging private sector players to support the initiative.
“Aliko Dangote Foundation will commit N20bn in-kind support over the next five years for the provision of fortified and nutritious food products,” Youssoufou said.
Representing NNPC Limited, Sofia Mbakwe also confirmed the ₦10bn pledge.
“This ceremony stands as a powerful testament to purposeful leadership by Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu. NNPC Limited is committing a starting sum of N10bn to be disbursed over the five-year period,” Mbakwe stated.
Chidioke James, representing the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, announced the ₦500m donation.
“Today is not just about launching a fund. It is about launching hope. No society can truly prosper while hunger persists. We are very proud to stand with the mother of the nation, the First Lady,” James said.
Pate stressed the importance of the programme in addressing Nigeria’s challenges under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Central to this vision is a simple but powerful truth: health does not begin in hospitals alone. It begins in our homes, in our communities, and it starts with adequate nutrition.
“It is not only a political necessity, but a moral imperative that we ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry,” the minister stated.
He noted that malnutrition remains a major public health issue in Nigeria, contributing to child mortality and hindering development.
The initiative aims to establish community-based food banks in every local government area, linked to primary healthcare centres supported by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture.
It will deliver nutritious, locally sourced food through a voucher system to vulnerable groups, including children under six, pregnant and nursing mothers, orphans, and at-risk households.
Pate confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will oversee implementation alongside the Primary Health Care Development Agency, using the country’s extensive healthcare network.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, represented by Hamisu Mohammed, pledged grassroots support, describing the project as “a signature legacy project.”
“This initiative comes at a critical time of food insecurity and rising cost of living. Local government fully appreciates grassroots-driven solutions,” Mohammed stated.
The event drew attendance from National Assembly members, ministers, traditional leaders—including representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife—as well as development partners and civil society groups.
The Community Food Bank Trust Fund will serve as the financial backbone of the programme, with the Bank of Agriculture acting as the managing institution.
