FG Rallies Stakeholders to Relaunch Home-Grown School Feeding Programme

…says programme Requires N900bn to N1trn Annually In a renewed push to combat child hunger, improve education, and stimulate local economies, the Federal Government has initiated fresh consultations with stakeholders on the relaunch and expansion of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP). The high-level meeting, held at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, was spearheaded by the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu. The event marks a significant step towards revitalizing the programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Sununu disclosed that an estimated N900 billion to N1 trillion would be needed annually to provide nutritious meals to primary school pupils in grades 1 to 3. The programme aims to deliver at least three meals per week to each pupil. While noting that appropriations from the federal budget would support the initiative, the Minister stressed the need for additional sources of funding to ensure sustainability. “This programme cannot thrive on government funding alone. Strategic partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms are key to achieving our goals,” he said. Providing further insight, the National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, Associate Professor Badamasi Lawal, PhD, identified a range of potential funding channels. These include presidential support, international donor contributions, stakeholder grants, and 5% of recovered repatriated funds. “As stakeholders, your technical expertise, strategic insights, and financial backing are invaluable,” Dr. Badamasi stated. “This engagement is not only about collaboration but also about co-creating a system that directly aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—especially the eradication of hunger, the promotion of quality education, and poverty reduction.” He added that the RH-NHGSFP is more than a social programme—it is a key component of the Tinubu administration’s strategy to deliver inclusive and people-centered development. “We are tackling multiple challenges through this initiative: reducing malnutrition, increasing school enrollment, supporting smallholder farmers, and invigorating local economies—one nutritious meal at a time,” he emphasized. Dr. Badamasi also outlined enhancements in the programme’s model, which focus on transparency, efficiency, inclusiveness, and measurable outcomes, with the ultimate goal of making RH-NHGSFP a model for other nations seeking sustainable school feeding systems. The meeting concluded with a presentation by Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, the National Programme Manager, who unveiled the Enhanced Platform of the NHGSFP, signaling the beginning of what many hope will be a more robust, data-driven, and impactful era for school feeding in Nigeria.

Leverage on technology to deliver quality social interventions – NSIPA CEO

The National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Professor Badamasi Lawal has urged the staff members to harness technology to optimise service delivery. Professor Badamasi spoke at a three-day workshop for members of staff of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment  Programme (GEEP), a subsidiary of NSIPA. The NSIPA Chief Executive Officer emphasized the critical role of technology in modern governance, stating, “This training marks the beginning of a new learning initiative that is based on a renewed commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusive development.” In a statement, Attari Hope, NSIPA Head f Communication and Public Relations, said the workshop was organized by GEEP in collaboration with Frontier Systems Limited. The theme of the training was “Improving Beneficiary Outcomes with Digital Solutions,” and it toke place, at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja. ”At NSIPA, our mandate is clear: to deliver impactful, evidence-driven social interventions that uplift the lives of millions of Nigerians, particularly those in vulnerable populations, in alignment with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” Prof Lawal said.  He emphasised that the 8-point Agenda of the Tinubu Presidency is focused on implementing social welfare programmes to support vulnerable populations and reduce poverty in the country. Prof. Lawal highlighted the significance of GEEP in advancing financial inclusion and empowering underserved communities, including petty traders, artisans, smallholder farmers, women, and youth.  He further stated that central to the digital transformation is the GEEP Dashboard, which he described as a powerful platform designed to track, analyze, and manage beneficiary data in real-time. “Your engagement in this training is vital. I urge you to approach this program with curiosity and commitment, embracing new ways of working,” he added. He concluded by reminding participants that behind every data point on the dashboard is a real individual—a mother, trader, farmer, or young entrepreneur—relying on NSIPA to deliver hope and opportunity. “The knowledge and skills you gain here will significantly shape how we fulfill our responsibility to these individuals,” he said. Earlier, Mrs. Ifeoma Chukwumbah, Acting Head of GEEP, said the programme’s mission is to expand financial inclusion and empower underserved Nigerians. She noted that initiatives like TraderMoni, MarketMoni, and FarmerMoni have already reached millions, providing access to capital and support for sustainable livelihoods. Mrs. Chukwumbah highlighted that the training program is designed to ensure transparency, efficiency, and real impact in our social interventions. “This training reflects our commitment to utilizing data and digital tools to better serve our beneficiaries,” she stated. She also emphasized the transformative potential of the GEEP Dashboard, which serves as a centralized, real-time platform for tracking beneficiaries, analyzing data, and enhancing decision-making. “The training will build our digital capacity, equipping us to deliver, monitor, and evaluate our interventions more effectively,” she concluded.