FG, Lagos partner councils, private sector on school feeding initiative

By Adeola Ogunrinde

The Federal Government and the Lagos State Government have partnered with Conference 57 to launch “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS,” an initiative aimed at providing nutritious breakfast snacks to primary school pupils and improving learning outcomes across public schools.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, ahead of the programme’s launch scheduled for June 30, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr. Aderemi Adebowale, said the intervention was designed to ensure that no child is denied quality education because of hunger.

Adebowale said the initiative is supported by the federal, state and local governments in Lagos State. She commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, the National Social Investment Programme Agency, the 57 council chairmen in Lagos and other partners for backing the programme.

According to her, the initiative seeks to mobilise individuals, corporate organisations, philanthropists, development partners, faith-based groups and communities to support the nutritional needs of schoolchildren through a transparent school adoption model. She noted that the programme aligns with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting child welfare, educational development and human capital growth.

Adebowale also unveiled a digital dashboard that will enable sponsors to adopt schools, monitor implementation, track beneficiaries and assess the impact of their contributions in real time. “The initiative is about feeding minds, fueling learning and building futures. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn without the burden of hunger,” she said.

She observed that hunger remains a major challenge affecting children’s concentration, school attendance, classroom participation and academic performance. According to her, the programme is designed to address classroom hunger, improve concentration, boost attendance and enhance learning outcomes through community and private-sector support.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, urged stakeholders and private-sector operators to support local farmers who will supply food items for the programme. She disclosed that the initiative would begin with a pilot phase in Lagos, targeting thousands of pupils in public primary schools while creating opportunities for agricultural producers.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children. He said the programme would not only improve access to nutritious meals for pupils but also help reduce the number of out-of-school children by encouraging school enrolment and retention.