The Federal Government has inaugurated a community-driven national food bank programme aimed at strengthening food security and improving access to nutritious meals for vulnerable Nigerians across the country.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady under Oluremi Tinubu, is designed to support households facing hunger and malnutrition, with a particular focus on women and children through coordinated and inclusive distribution systems at the community level.
Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, described the programme as a strategic intervention that seeks to move beyond short-term food aid toward a more sustainable and structured national food distribution framework.
He noted that millions of Nigerians continue to face challenges in accessing basic nutrition, with children under the age of five among the most affected, stressing the need for targeted and scalable solutions.
According to him, the programme is built on strong community networks and national coordination mechanisms to ensure transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in delivering locally sourced food to those in need.
Kyari highlighted the importance of a multi-sectoral approach, commending the role of the Bank of Agriculture in bridging the gap between food production and distribution. He said the institution would play a key role in aggregating food supplies and coordinating deliveries to communities, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and improving overall impact.
Also speaking at the event, Mansur Muhtar, a member of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Lead Group, described the initiative as a transformative step in addressing hunger and malnutrition through coordinated national and grassroots efforts.
He praised the First Lady’s office for conceptualising a programme that combines structured planning with social impact, noting that it reflects a broader commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.
Muhtar emphasised the need for collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, private sector stakeholders, and international partners to ensure the programme’s long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
Drawing from his experience, he underscored the far-reaching impact of malnutrition on families and communities, describing food security as not only a humanitarian concern but also a key driver of economic growth, social stability, and national development.
He added that improving access to nutritious food would have positive ripple effects across sectors, enhancing health outcomes, boosting productivity, and strengthening resilience within communities.
The inauguration marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to address food insecurity through structured, community-based solutions, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the programme will help alleviate hunger and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.
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