First Lady Remi Tinubu Inaugurates N65 Billion National Community Food Bank to Fight Child Malnutrition

Dayo Thomas

First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme in Abuja, unveiling over N65 billion in public and private commitments aimed at tackling hunger and undernutrition among vulnerable children under six. The initiative, described as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda, will begin rollout in the Northeast and other geopolitical zones, with full implementation planned across all 774 local government areas by December 2026.
Declaring nutrition a pressing national priority, the First Lady said millions of Nigerian children lack consistent access to nourishment needed for healthy growth. “Each day of our inaction affects their health, growth, potential and future. Therefore, addressing this issue is both urgent and essential to securing our nation’s future,” she told stakeholders at the State House Conference Centre. Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari cited that about 12 million Nigerian children under five are stunted, while Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq noted more than one-third of children under five nationwide suffer chronic undernutrition.
The launch and Board of Trustees inauguration doubled as a fundraising drive that secured N65 billion+ in pledges. Major commitments include: Aliko Dangote Foundation N20 billion over five years, Federal Government N17 billion via the Social Action Fund, Nigeria Governors’ Forum N17 billion as counterpart funding, NNPC Limited N10 billion over five years, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation N500 million, Friends of the First Lady $500,000, plus a personal N500 million donation from the First Lady.
The programme targets 500,000 households in its first year. Flag-offs in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones are set for April to June 2026, with rollout to all LGAs between July and December 2026.

The Community Food Bank Trust Fund is domiciled at the Bank of Agriculture under a newly inaugurated Board of Trustees.