The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition items to 20,000 vulnerable households in Sokoto State, as part of efforts to tackle food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty across the country.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Government House, Sokoto, marked the commencement of the intervention under the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Initiatives.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, described the programme as a clear demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to protecting the dignity and wellbeing of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly women, children, the elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Dr. Sununu commended the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, for his strong collaboration with the Federal Government. He noted that the Governor, despite being out of the country on official engagements, returned to personally host and participate in the programme, underscoring his dedication to humanitarian service and intergovernmental cooperation.
The Minister disclosed that the intervention targets 20,000 vulnerable households across the state with essential food items and specialised nutrition commodities, including supplies for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children. He added that the Ministry would immediately commence the delivery of therapeutic nutrition supplies to Specialist and General Hospitals across Sokoto State to strengthen ongoing treatment efforts.
According to him, the initiative was approved by President Tinubu following projections that millions of Nigerians could face extreme hunger due to economic shocks, climate change, insecurity and declining international humanitarian funding. He stressed that the President’s vision is anchored on people-centred governance, ensuring that no Nigerian goes hungry regardless of circumstance.
Dr. Sununu further explained that beyond emergency relief, the Ministry is pursuing sustainable and localised solutions, including livelihood support, skills acquisition, agricultural recovery and community-based resilience programmes for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry said the intervention was necessitated by increasing humanitarian needs and funding gaps arising from the scaling down of some international partners. He affirmed that the Federal Government approved the initiative to bridge critical humanitarian gaps and sustain life-saving assistance in affected states, including Sokoto.
He commended the Sokoto State Government for its partnership and urged all stakeholders involved in the distribution to uphold transparency, accountability, equity and compassion to ensure that the items reach the intended beneficiaries.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, in his address, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for prioritising the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
He described the intervention as a reflection of compassionate and responsive leadership, noting that his administration has consistently placed the wellbeing of the people at the centre of its development agenda. The Governor assured that the state government would ensure effective coordination and dignified distribution of the items across all senatorial districts.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening social protection mechanisms and supporting federal humanitarian initiatives.
The distribution exercise, which commenced in Sokoto Central Senatorial District, will extend to Sokoto East and Sokoto North Senatorial Districts in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Earlier, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Asabe Balarabe, welcomed participants to what she described as a timely intervention, noting that the state government remains committed to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), a representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, as well as the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Government on IDPs and Resident Communities.
The event was attended by key federal and state government officials, development partners, security agencies, traditional rulers and community stakeholders.
