The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N500 million to the newly inaugurated Community Food Bank Trust Fund.
The Fund was initiated in conjunction with the office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), aimed at building a strong and effective food bank system in Nigeria that is supported through a well-structured trust fund, governed transparently, and capable of reaching communities and households across the country.
The First Lady made the gesture while launching the programme and inaugurating its Board of Trustees at an event held this Thursday at the State House in Abuja.
In her speech, Mrs Tinubu expressed happiness with the demonstration of generosity and support shown towards strengthening food support systems for vulnerable households across Nigeria.
Emphasising on the need to tackle cases of acute malnutrition in the country, she pointed out that child malnutrition in Nigeria remains a current national priority, with millions of children in need of consistent access to the nourishment required for healthy growth and development, warning that “our inaction affects their health, growth, potential, and future, hence addressing this issue is both urgent and essential to securing the nation’s future.”
She noted that the Community Food Bank programme was conceived as a delicate and sustainable response to bringing healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under 16, noting that the initiative aims to strengthen community-based nutrition systems and restore food equity in communities.
“This initiative is in line with the meaningful agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to advance food security and safeguard the well-being of indigenous children,” she said.
The First Lady added: “Globally, food banks have proven to be an effective mechanism for ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most through strategic partnerships with farmers, food producers, corporate organizations, civil society groups, and community institutions. Food banks create a bridge to take upon us a need.”
While acknowledging stakeholders such as captains of industry, business executives, top government functionaries, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, and all other critical stakeholders for their support, she said members of the Board of Trustees of the Community Food Bank Trust Fund are distinguished individuals with wealth of experience, integrity, and deep commitment to public service.
Mrs Tinubu further expressed optimism that they will provide the strategic leadership and oversight needed to ensure that this trust fund is governed with transparency, efficiency, and accountability, reassuring that their collective leadership will ensure that every Nigerian community is used judiciously.
She said: “I congratulate you all and thank you for accepting this important national responsibility.
“Also, I applaud the individuals and organizations that have already demonstrated confidence in this initiative through their generous pledges and donations.”
She appealed to many more well-meaning Nigerians, organisations, and institutions to join this national effort as the goals are being taken across the six geopolitical zones of the country, commending the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and his entourage, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, for their collaboration and support in advancing this initiative.
Speaking earlier, Professor Pate had noted that the initiative came at a very important moment in the nation’s journey under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “whose meaningful agenda places strong emphasis on improving the well-being, health and social protection of all Nigerians.”
He acknowledged the great leadership of the First Lady, who conceived, and guided the programme which aligns with the President’s vision for the health sector, articulated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the health sector renewal and investment initiative.
The minister further stated: “The Ministry is pursuing all reforms to strengthen our health system multisectorally,” emphasising that access to primary healthcare services has been expanded which improve the health population outcomes of Nigerians.
He announced that some friends and well wishers of the First Lady, who pleaded not to be mentioned, donated US$500,000, and the Federal Government, through the Social Action Fund, donated N17 billion to the National Community Food Bank Programme.
The colourful event saw the presentation of goodwill messages and donations, with the Dangote Foundation leading with N20 billion, followed by the NNPC Ltd. with N10 billion, while Emeka Foundation donated N500 million to be disbursed over the five years of the programme.
Ado Bako, the Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, explained in a press release that the National Community Food Bank Programme, initiated with a view to curb malnutrition amongst the vulnerable persons in the communities, flagged off in the six geo-political zones from April to June, 2026, and is expected to be fully implemented across the 774 Local Government Areas from July-December 2026.
