Key Highlights
- The Federal Government, NNPCL, and other institutions have raised approximately N65 billion for the National Community Food Bank Programme.
- The programme aims to initially support 500,000 households nationwide in its first year.
- The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, donated N500 million, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) pledged N10 billion over five years.
- The Federal Government committed N17 billion through a special intervention in the Social Action Fund, matched by another N17 billion from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
- The Board of Trustees for the fund will be chaired by the First Lady, with Ayodeji Sotinrin, MD/CEO of Bank of Agriculture, serving as Secretary.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has successfully mobilised significant funding for the National Community Food Bank Programme, securing approximately N65 billion from Federal Government institutions and other entities. This initiative aims to bolster food security and support vulnerable households across the nation.
The programme is designed to initially reach 500,000 households within its first year of operation. The fundraising ceremony saw substantial contributions, including a N500 million donation from the First Lady herself. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) pledged N10 billion over a five-year period.
Further bolstering the fund, the Federal Government committed N17 billion via a special intervention in the Social Action Fund. This was matched by an equivalent N17 billion pledge from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). Other supporting institutions mentioned include the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the Bank of Industry.
A Board of Trustees has been established to manage the fund, with the First Lady serving as its Chairman. Ayodeji Sotinrin, the Managing Director/CEO of the Bank of Agriculture, will act as the Secretary of the board. Other members include Mohammed Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare; Mansur Mokhtar, Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA); and Wahab Alawiye–King.
The First Lady highlighted that the Community Food Bank Programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on advancing food security and safeguarding the well-being of Nigerian children. She emphasised that food banks globally have proven effective in bridging the gap between food abundance and need through strategic partnerships.
Emeka Offor Foundation pledged N500 million towards the initiative. Additionally, a group identified as Friends of the First Lady made an initial pledge of $500,000, which translates to approximately N692.5 million at the current exchange rate.
The First Lady expressed her inspiration from the demonstrated generosity, aiming to build a strong and effective food bank system in Nigeria. This system is intended to be transparently governed and capable of reaching communities and households nationwide.
