The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the official launch of N60 billion Community Food Bank Trust Fund in Abuja, made a personal donation of ₦500 million. The First Lady conceived the initiative to leverage in addressing child malnutrition need in the country.

Unveiling the Food Bank in Abuja, Oluremi Tinubu bemoaned poor nutrition among children in Nigeria. She insisted that it remains a pressing national priority, with millions of children in dire need of consistent access to the nourishment required for healthy growth and development.

The First Lady declared that tackling poor nutrition is both urgent and essential to securing the nation’s future.

She cautioned that each day of inaction affects the health, growth, potential, and future of the children.

At the launch of the Community Food Bank Trust Fund, the Board of Trustees of the Fund was also inaugurated.

The President’s wife explained that the Community Food Bank Programme was conceived as a deliberate and sustainable response to bring healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under six years old, strengthen community-based nutrition systems, and restore hope where it is most needed.

She said the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu to advance food security and safeguard the well-being of every Nigerian child.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, decried that malnutrition remains one of the country's most serious public health challenges, contributing significantly to under-five mortality and limiting the growth and potential of millions of children.

The minister quoted a Recent national surveys (NDHS 2023/24) which indicated that about four in ten Nigerian children under the age of five are stunted, suffering physical development, learning potential, and future productivity stating that the National Community Food Bank Programme therefore represents a practical and compassionate response to the challenge.

Dangote Group, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, the Emeka Offor Foundation, among others, pledged over ₦60.5 billion to boost the National Community Food Bank Trust.

Alhaji Dangote, represented by Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director and CEO of the Dangote Foundation, made a donation of N20 billion in-kind commitment over five years.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, promised major funding.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Muyi Aina, said the Community Food Bank Trust Fund will be established in each local government of the Federation.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ayodeji Sotinrin, announced that Friends of the First Lady donated $500,000.

He said President Tinubu has approved, through the Federal Government Social Action Fund, ₦17 billion for the Food Bank Trust Fund.