The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling malnutrition among children under six years old.
The programme was unveiled during the first National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit held in Abuja and is set to operate with support from private individuals and corporate organisations. It will provide nutritious food to vulnerable children across the country.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady said: “This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the nation.
“We are collaborating with the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and other partners to launch the National Community Food Bank programme in April 2026. This programme is designed to strengthen community nutrition support, improve access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children, and contribute meaningfully to the national response to ending child malnutrition.”
Mrs Tinubu emphasised the critical role of traditional and religious leaders, stating that their support would ensure the initiative reaches every eligible household:
“The programme will operate through the nationwide network of Primary Health Centres to identify and register eligible families with children under six years old. Caregivers will receive counselling and be given food vouchers that they can redeem for nutritious locally grown foods at food banks established near health centres.
“This initiative will be funded through a Trust Fund by willing private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians. To ensure accountability, the Trust Fund will be overseen by credible Nigerians. We will need a lot of support from you, our revered traditional and religious leaders, to raise awareness and sensitise households to ensure no eligible family is left behind as we roll out the programme nationwide.”
The First Lady also praised health volunteers, particularly the National Health Fellows, for their dedication to improving child healthcare.
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In his remarks, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, highlighted the importance of human resources in national development, noting that the partnership with the Office of the First Lady is critical for improving the health and well-being of infants and children:
“Without the people of Nigeria, no infrastructure, no oil, no gold, diamond will actually matter,” he said.
Prof. Pate commended President Bola Tinubu for convening the first-ever Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit, which underscores the administration’s recognition of the pivotal role of these leaders in promoting health nationwide:
“Before the Nigerian State, there is a Nigerian Nation, and before a Nigerian Nation, there are the Nigerian people. That is why the President prioritises the health sector in all ramifications.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, also lauded the initiative, describing traditional and religious leaders as central to ensuring universal health coverage and sustainable development.
Development partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, similarly acknowledged the significance of engaging community leaders to foster trust, build awareness, and ensure accountability across local communities.
The First Lady announced that the campaign will be rolled out to all geo-political zones, beginning with the North-East Zone in Borno State, as part of a sustained effort to reduce child malnutrition nationwide.
