First Lady Secures N65 Billion as Nigeria Launches National Community Food Bank to Combat Acute Child Malnutrition

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu launches a N65 billion food bank trust to tackle child malnutrition. Major donors include Dangote and the Federal Government.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 3:20 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAYLIVE

National Emergency Mobilization Against Child Hunger

In a major step toward addressing food insecurity, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the National Community Food Bank Programme. During a high-profile fundraising ceremony in Abuja, over N65 billion was realized to support the initiative's mission of providing consistent nutrition to Nigeria's most vulnerable populations. Mrs. Tinubu described the current state of child malnutrition as a pressing national priority, warning that daily inaction directly compromises the health and future potential of millions of children. The program is designed as a sustainable intervention that aligns with the broader federal agenda to restore hope and strengthen community based nutrition systems.

Public and Private Sectors Unite for Funding Milestone

The fundraising event saw unprecedented commitments from both government entities and private philanthropists. The Aliko Dangote Foundation led the private sector contributions with a N20 billion in-kind commitment over five years, while the Federal Government and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum each pledged N17 billion. Additionally, the NNPC Limited committed N10 billion over a five-year period. Other significant donors included the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and various anonymous supporters. This collective financial backing underscores a unified national resolve to move beyond temporary sympathy toward a structured, long-term solution for domestic food distribution.

Strategic Distribution via Primary Healthcare Networks

To ensure that aid reaches the intended households across all 36 states, the program will leverage Nigeria’s existing primary healthcare infrastructure. By using these established community hubs, the food bank can effectively target children under the age of six who are at the highest risk of stunting and developmental delays. This partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency ensures that nutritional support is integrated with basic medical services. This "connection over production" strategy aims to bridge the gap between food surpluses in some regions and the acute needs of underserved communities.