Nigeria’s National Community Food Bank Programme has secured pledges exceeding N66 billion following its official launch and the inauguration of its Board of Trustees in Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, announced the figure during his keynote address at the event hosted by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Leading the private sector contributions, the Aliko Dangote Foundation committed N20 billion in-kind support over five years. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited followed with a pledge of N10 billion within the same period.
Additional support came from the Emeka Offor Foundation, which donated N500 million upfront, while anonymous donors contributed $500,000 (about N750 million).
Pate also revealed that Bola Tinubu had approved a N17 billion intervention through the Social Action Fund to support the initiative. He added that if all 36 state governors contribute N500 million each, the programme could gain an extra N18 billion, pushing total funding even higher.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said he would engage fellow governors on providing counterpart funding to support the project.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the N20 billion commitment would go into providing fortified and nutritious food, while calling on other private sector players to join the effort.
Representing NNPC Limited, Sofia Mbakwe confirmed the company’s N10 billion pledge, describing the programme as a reflection of purposeful leadership.
Officials say the initiative comes at a critical time, as rising food insecurity and malnutrition continue to affect millions of Nigerians. The programme is designed to establish community-based food banks across all local government areas, supplying nutritious, locally sourced food through a voucher system.
Target beneficiaries include children under six, pregnant and nursing mothers, orphans, and other vulnerable groups. The scheme will be implemented through Nigeria’s primary healthcare system in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.
Stakeholders, including local government representatives and development partners, have expressed strong support, describing the programme as a timely intervention aimed at tackling hunger and improving public health outcomes nationwide.
