First Lady Oluremi Tinubu inaugurated the Board of Trustees for the National Community Food Bank Trust Fund in Abuja on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The ceremony served as a massive fundraising platform, mobilizing over ₦65 billion to address the rising crisis of child undernutrition across Nigeria.
Consequently, the initiative seeks to provide consistent access to healthy food for vulnerable children under the age of six.
The First Lady alleged that daily inaction regarding malnutrition directly threatens the health, growth, and future potential of the nation’s youth.
“Child malnutrition in Nigeria remains a pressing national priority, with millions of children in need of consistent access to nourishment,” Mrs. Tinubu declared.
“Each day of our inaction affects their health, growth, potential, and future. Therefore, addressing this issue is both urgent and essential,” she added.
Private Sector Giants Lead Multi-Billion Naira Pledges
The fundraising event drew significant commitments from Nigeria’s wealthiest individuals and biggest corporate entities.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation pledged ₦20 billion in-kind support over five years, focusing on fortified and nutritious food products.
Furthermore, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited committed ₦10 billion to be disbursed over the same period.
“This programme directly addresses food insecurity among vulnerable households, particularly children under six,” stated Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director of the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
“Success means a Nigeria where no child goes to bed hungry,” she added while representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government provided ₦17 billion through the Social Action Fund to kickstart the operational phase.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represented by Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, pledged a matching ₦17 billion from the 36 states.
“Across our states, we see the pressure many households face in accessing affordable and nutritious food,” Governor AbdulRazaq stated.
“More than one third of the children under five are stunted. This is not only a health issue, but it’s a national issue,” he added.
Structural Transparency and Grassroots Distribution Networks
According to The Guardian Nigeria, the programme will leverage the existing National Primary Healthcare Development Agency network for nationwide food distribution.
The Bank of Agriculture will oversee the financial management of the trust fund to ensure every Naira reaches the intended communities.
Managing Director Ayodeji Sotinrin confirmed that the fund would operate under strict transparency protocols, including independent audits and real-time reporting.
“No single person can authorize a disbursement. A minimum of three to five authorised trustees must co-sign every approval,” Sotinrin clarified.
Furthermore, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the initiative as a moral imperative.
Prof. Pate noted that health begins in the home and community, rather than just within the walls of a hospital.
“It’s a moral imperative that we ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry,” the Health Minister stated during the inauguration.
The First Lady personally pledged ₦500 million to the cause, alongside a similar donation from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation.
Additionally, anonymous supporters provided an initial $500,000 to bolster the trust fund’s foreign exchange capacity for specialized supplements.
Mrs. Tinubu urged all Nigerians to contribute, regardless of the size of their donation, to help build a sustainable food system.
“If a mother, even one Naira, is not too small, it all adds up. A little drop of water and a grain of sand make the mighty ocean,” she concluded.
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