Abuja: The Federal Government is preparing to relaunch its Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP) on May 29. The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, made this announcement during a meeting with development partners, NGOs, and government officials in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the relaunch is timed to coincide with President Bola Tinubu's second year in office. The programme aims to address child hunger and enhance educational outcomes nationwide. Dr. Sununu emphasized that the plan is holistically designed to provide daily nutritious meals using locally sourced ingredients, benefiting children's health and supporting local farming communities. He highlighted the necessity of transparency, accountability, and collaboration to sustain the programme and ensure its long-term success.
Dr. Sununu noted that the initiative targets 10 million children and aims to increase school enrolment by 20 percent and academic performance by 15 percent by 2025. The urgency of the programme is underscored by projections indicating that over 30 million Nigerians could face hunger, necessitating swift and effective implementation. He stated, "Our mission is to feed every public school pupil in Primary One to Three, nurturing their potential and building the nation's future." The programme is also designed to reduce malnutrition, boost school retention rates, and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Dr. Sununu urged for community ownership, active parental involvement, and training for cooks, highlighting the programme's potential to empower women and smallholder farmers. Development partners, including the AMA Foundation and private firms like Tetra Pak, have pledged support for the renewed initiative. The government has promised reforms, enhanced monitoring, and collaboration to ensure sustainability and measurable impact. Dr. Sununu called on all stakeholders to unite, stressing the programme's capital-intensive nature and the necessity of joint efforts for success.
Dr. Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of RH-NHGSFP, described the programme as an investment in the nation's future, aiming not only to feed but also to empower women, youth, and farmers through inclusive and sustainable practices. She mentioned that N100 billion has been allocated in the 2025 budget to expand reach and deepen community impact. "The updated RH-NHGSFP will provide daily meals to public primary pupils using food grown and sourced locally," she explained. Emphasizing collaboration, Adebowale stated that success depends on collective action and a shared national vision.
Between 2018 and 2022, the programme improved nutrition and enrolment but faced challenges with supply chain and farmer involvement. Adebowale revealed new QR-coded supply chains and real-time tracking for enhanced transparency, quality control, and accountability. The programme will fully integrate women, youth, cooks, and farmers, offering targeted training and income opportunities. "Nutritionists, health professionals, and supervisors will monitor food quality and assess pupil health and programme outcomes," she stated, adding that the focus remains on local sourcing, especially through women-led cooperatives, aiming to reduce rural poverty by 40 percent.
She said collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission would ensure all beneficiaries are registered and tracked. Adebowale urged partnerships with development agencies, community leaders, politicians, and state governors to ensure nationwide ownership. Dr. Badamasi Lawal, CEO of NSIPA, described the relaunch as a turning point in Nigeria's fight against child hunger and inequality. Represented by Dr. Binta Musa, he called on stakeholders to unite and secure a healthier, more inclusive future for children. The meeting concluded with a call for strategic partnerships to align the initiative with key Sustainable Development Goals.