The Federal Government has announced plans to expand the Homegrown School Feeding Programme to reach 20 million pupils by 2026, describing it as both a social investment and a national security measure.
Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Friday at the National Policy Forum on the Institutionalisation and Implementation of the Renewed Hope National Homegrown School Feeding Programme held in Abuja. The event was organised by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria and other stakeholders.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr. Kolade Fasua, Shettima said the renewed programme under President Bola Tinubu’s administration marks the most ambitious phase of the intervention since its inception.
He explained that the scheme, relaunched earlier this year, is designed to boost school enrollment, improve learning outcomes, and stimulate local economies by creating daily markets for farmers, women entrepreneurs, and food processors.
“This programme is not just about meals; it is about nation-building. Every plate of food given to a child fights hunger, keeps them in school, and strengthens communities,” he said.
According to him, an additional initiative, the Alternate Education and Renewed Hope School Feeding Project, will also focus on out-of-school and vulnerable children.
Shettima noted that the integration of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) system will ensure accountability, stressing that resources will directly benefit pupils and local suppliers. He added that sustaining the scheme nationwide could cost as much as ₦1 trillion but argued that it should be seen as a long-term investment rather than a financial burden.
He further emphasised that school feeding helps curb insecurity by discouraging recruitment of children into violent groups, supporting farmers with stable markets, and empowering micro-businesses, especially those run by women.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Sununu, represented by Mr. Valentine Ezulu, called for the enactment of a National Homegrown School Feeding Act to guarantee continuity across political transitions. He also advocated for the development of a national nutrition guideline in line with international standards to ensure safe and healthy meals for pupils.
The Federal Government urged state governments, private investors, and development partners to support the initiative, stressing that its success would be measured not only in hunger-free classrooms but also in safer and more resilient communities.
