The First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has unveiled the National Community Food Bank Programme in Nigeria’s North-East as part of efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition in the region.
Mrs Tinubu launched the initiative on Monday during an official visit to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
Speaking during the ceremony, the First Lady said the programme would serve as a key intervention for children and mothers, particularly vulnerable groups affected by food insecurity.
“Your Excellencies and guests, it is a great honour and privilege to be here. This will be the first assignment while we are here in Borno State for our children and mothers,” she said.
“I have the honour to commission the National Community Food Bank Programme in the North-East to the glory of God.”
The programme was officially launched nationally earlier this month at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where it secured pledges exceeding ₦66 billion from government institutions, private organisations and philanthropists.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation led private sector contributions with an in-kind commitment of ₦20 billion spread over five years.
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited also pledged ₦10 billion over the same period.
The Emeka Offor Foundation committed ₦500 million upfront, while unnamed associates of the First Lady donated $500,000, estimated at about ₦750 million at prevailing exchange rates.
Minister of Health, Muhammad Ali Pate, had also announced that President Bola Tinubu approved a special ₦17 billion intervention through the Social Action Fund to support the initiative.
The National Community Food Bank Programme is designed to establish community-based food banks in every local government area across the country.
These food banks are expected to be linked to primary healthcare centres supported under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture.
Under the scheme, nutritious locally sourced food will be distributed through a voucher system to malnourished children under six years, pregnant and nursing mothers, orphans, vulnerable children and households facing severe nutritional and economic hardship.
