First Lady to launch national community food bank in April, partners health ministry, BOA, others
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a major national initiative to combat child malnutrition, revealing plans to launch a National Community Food Bank programme in April 2026.
Speaking on Tuesday at the National Traditional and Religious Leaders Summit on Health held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja, the First Lady said her office would work closely with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the country.
“This year, the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria will be working with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to address child malnutrition across the nation,” she stated.
She disclosed that the initiative would also involve collaboration with the Bank of Industry, the Bank of Agriculture and other partners to launch the National Community Food Bank programme.
According to her, the programme is designed to strengthen community nutrition support systems, improve access to safe and nutritious food for vulnerable children, and contribute meaningfully to national efforts aimed at ending child malnutrition.
The First Lady explained that the programme would operate through the nationwide network of Primary Health Centres to identify and register eligible families with children under six years old. Caregivers will receive counselling and food vouchers redeemable for nutritious, locally grown foods at designated food banks to be established near the health centres.
She added that the initiative would be funded through a Trust Fund supported by private sector partners and well-meaning Nigerians, with credible Nigerians appointed to oversee the fund to ensure transparency and accountability.
Mrs. Tinubu called on traditional and religious leaders to support the programme by raising awareness and sensitising communities to ensure that no eligible family is left behind during the nationwide rollout.
