The National Community Food Bank Programme has attracted pledges exceeding N66bn following its launch on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, disclosed this during the event hosted by Oluremi Tinubu.
He said: “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 added that contributions from states could significantly increase the fund.
He said: “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.”
He added: “If every state contributes just 500 million naira, that will right there and then match what the Federal Government is putting on the table.”
The Aliko Dangote Foundation led private sector support with a N20bn commitment.
Its Managing Director, Zouera Youssoufou, said: “Aliko Dangote Foundation will commit N20bn in-kind support over the next five years for the provision of fortified and nutritious food products.”
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited pledged N10bn over five years.
Representing the company, Sofia Mbakwe said: “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.”
The Sir Emeka Offor Foundation also contributed N500m.
Chidioke James said: “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.”
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, pledged support from state governments.
He said: “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.”
Pate stressed the urgency of the programme.
He said: “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.”
He added: “It is not only a political necessity, but a moral imperative that we ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry.”
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, represented by Hamisu Mohammed, endorsed the initiative.
He described it as “a signature legacy project.”
He added: “This initiative comes at a critical time of food insecurity and rising cost of living. Local government fully appreciates grassroots-driven solutions.”
The programme aims to establish community-based food banks nationwide, targeting vulnerable groups and supporting access to nutritious food.
