First Lady Tinubu seeks support for climate-friendly school meals initiative

Kunle Sanni

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on international development partners to assist in implementing climate-friendly school meal programs across the country.

Speaking at a roundtable lunch organised by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, Mrs. Tinubu highlighted the potential of school feeding programmes to boost school enrolment and improve child nutrition.

According to a statement by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi on Tuesday the event, held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, provided a platform for discussing sustainable strategies for addressing food insecurity in Africa.

The first lady noted that Nigeria’s school feeding programme is currently under review, and that the government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has prioritised food security by declaring a state of emergency on the issue.

She also pointed to initiatives such as the Young Farmers Club Nigeria and the “Every Home a Garden” competition as part of the broader effort to ensure access to nutritious meals for children and families.

“With Nigeria’s growing population and increasing climate challenges, including desertification and flooding, particularly in regions like Borno State, we are facing a complex problem. However, we are committed to addressing these issues and are open to any assistance that can help us achieve our goals,” the First Lady said.

The roundtable discussion, which included other African First Ladies, also aimed to position school meals as a key agenda in the African Union’s engagement with the G20, advocating for more resources to support children’s health and education on the continent.