FG unveils bold plans to tackle hunger, boost education at G20 event

By Kunle Sanni

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing hunger and improving education through an ambitious program set to launch later this year.

At a G20 Summit side event organized by the Global Alliance Against Hunger in Brazil, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), outlined the government’s plans under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, which aims to provide nutritious meals to 20 million children annually.

Slated for relaunch in November 2024, the initiative seeks to enhance food security, increase school attendance, and empower local communities. Key components of the program include:

School Farms Initiative: Schools will establish farms to supply 10% of the food needed for the feeding program, promoting agricultural education and sustainability.

Support for Smallholder Farmers: The program will engage 250,000 smallholder farmers and aggregators, creating jobs and strengthening local food supply chains.

Reducing Out-of-School Children: By 2026, the initiative aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 30%, advancing Nigeria’s commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Innovative Funding Models: The government plans to cover 30% of the program’s costs through private sector partnerships and innovative funding mechanisms by December 2026.

Orelope-Adefulire emphasized the program’s dual focus on combating hunger and improving education, stating, “The Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme represents our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.”

She also underscored the program’s integration of local food systems and private sector engagement, describing it as a sustainable model with far-reaching impacts.

Calling for global support, the SSAP-SDGs urged stakeholders at the G20 Summit to collaborate with Nigeria in its efforts to end hunger and foster inclusive development, aligning with the global Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).