Dangote, NNPC, Governors Rally Behind Tinubu’s Food Bank With ₦30bn Lifeline.
Nigeria’s fight against hunger received a major boost on Thursday as business leaders and state governments collectively pledged more than ₦30.5 billion to support the National Community Food Bank Programme, a new initiative spearheaded by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
The commitments were unveiled during the official launch of the programme and the inauguration of its Board of Trustees. The event attracted backing from major corporations, philanthropic foundations and government representatives, all promising financial and institutional support to tackle food insecurity across the country.
A significant portion of the funding came from the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which pledged ₦20 billion worth of food support over the next five years. The commitment was announced by the foundation’s Managing Director, Zouera Youssoufou, on behalf of Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote.
Youssoufou said the initiative directly targets food insecurity among vulnerable households, especially young children. She noted that the Foundation would supply fortified and nutritious food products over the next five years to support the programme.
She also urged more companies to join the effort, saying collective action from the private sector could help create a Nigeria where no child goes to bed hungry, a goal aligned with the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) also threw its weight behind the programme, announcing a ₦10 billion commitment spread over five years. The pledge was delivered by Sofia Mbakwe on behalf of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.
Speaking at the launch, Mbakwe described the programme as a reflection of purposeful leadership by the First Lady and expressed confidence that it would make a meaningful difference in addressing hunger across the country. She also emphasised that the initiative would work in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture to ensure effective implementation.
Additional support came from the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, which pledged ₦500 million toward the programme. The announcement was made by its representative, Chidioke James, who described the initiative as more than just a funding drive, calling it a mission to restore hope to vulnerable Nigerians.
At the grassroots level, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) also declared full institutional backing for the programme. Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Hamisu Mohammed said local governments would play a crucial role in ensuring the initiative reaches rural and underserved communities.
State governments are also expected to contribute significantly. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, assured that governors across the country would provide counterpart funding to strengthen the programme.
He noted that many Nigerian households are struggling to access affordable and nutritious food, pointing out that a large percentage of children under five suffer from stunted growth due to chronic undernutrition.
According to him, tackling food insecurity is not just a health issue but a national priority that directly affects economic growth and development.
AbdulRazaq added that the governors’ forum would work closely with the federal government to ensure the programme succeeds, referencing an earlier ₦17 billion pledge from the Federal Ministry of Health to support nutrition-related interventions.
The National Community Food Bank Programme is expected to serve as a nationwide safety net, helping vulnerable families gain access to nutritious food while strengthening community-based food distribution systems.
