Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday launched the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme, declaring that the initiative would help build “healthier and stronger generations of Nigerian children.”
The flag-off took place during the 1st National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit in Abuja, where the First Lady outlined plans to tackle child malnutrition through a coordinated national response.
According to her, the Office of the First Lady will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address malnutrition among infants and young children across the country.
She disclosed that the National Community Food Bank Programme, scheduled for launch in April 2026, is being developed in partnership with the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture and other stakeholders.
“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,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that traditional and religious leaders would play a crucial role in ensuring the programme’s success by raising awareness and mobilising families at the grassroots level.
Under the initiative, eligible families with children under the age of six will be identified and registered through primary health centres nationwide. Caregivers will receive nutritional counselling and food vouchers redeemable for locally grown, nutritious foods at designated community food banks located near the health facilities.
Funding for the programme will come through a Trust Fund supported by private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians. The Trust Fund, she said, will be overseen by credible Nigerians to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We will be needing 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,” she added.
The First Lady also congratulated health volunteers known as National Health Fellows, wishing them success as they begin their service to the nation while building their professional skills.
