The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the Community Food Bank Trust Fund and inaugurated its Board of Trustees, committing the sum of N500 million to support the initiative aimed at strengthening food security and reducing malnutrition across the country.
Speaking at the launch held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, 2 April 2026, Senator Tinubu expressed delight at the growing support for efforts to improve access to nutritious food for vulnerable households, particularly children under 16.
She stressed that child malnutrition remains a critical national concern, warning that failure to address it would have far-reaching consequences on the health, growth, and future of Nigerian children. According to her, the Community Food Bank Programme was designed as a sustainable response to ensure equitable access to nutritious food while strengthening community-based nutrition systems.
The First Lady noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s agenda on food security and the well-being of Nigerians. She explained that the programme, developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture, will be anchored on a transparent and well-structured trust fund.
“Globally, food banks have proven to be effective mechanisms for ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most through strategic partnerships,” she said, calling for broader collaboration from stakeholders, including the private sector, development partners, and civil society organizations.
She also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and other partners for their commitment to advancing the initiative.
In his remarks, Professor Pate described the programme as timely, noting that it aligns with ongoing health sector reforms under President Tinubu’s administration. He highlighted efforts by the Ministry to strengthen primary healthcare and improve health outcomes across Nigeria.
The minister further disclosed that the initiative had already attracted significant financial backing, including a donation of $500,000 from friends and associates of the First Lady, while the Federal Government contributed N17 billion through the Social Action Fund.
Additional pledges included N20 billion from the Dangote Foundation, N10 billion from NNPC Limited, and N500 million from the Emeka Foundation, all to be disbursed over a five-year period.
The National Community Food Bank Programme is designed to curb malnutrition among vulnerable populations, with a phased implementation plan. It is expected to commence across the six geopolitical zones between April and June 2026, before full rollout across all 774 Local Government Areas from July to December 2026.
The event featured goodwill messages, presentations of donations, and the formal inauguration of the Board of Trustees, who are expected to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of the trust fund.
