FG targets additional 10 million children for school meal programme

The federal government has pledged to significantly expand its school meals programme, aiming to reach an additional 10 million children by 2030.

The commitment to expand the school meal programme comes as part of a global initiative spearheaded by the School Meals Coalition, targeting 150 million children in low and lower-middle-income countries.

The announcement was made at a summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where government leaders, development banks, UN agencies, and philanthropic organisations united to tackle childhood hunger and improve educational access.

Nigeria, which already runs Africa’s largest school feeding initiative, plans to increase coverage from 10 million to 20 million children. The programme will prioritise vulnerable groups, such as those in displacement camps, while engaging local farmers to provide food.

The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty has identified the programme as critical to addressing malnutrition, boosting school enrollment, and supporting smallholder farmers. Mads Thomsen, CEO of the Novo Nordisk Foundation, emphasised that school meals can improve nutrition, education, and local agricultural systems.

The expansion aligns with upcoming commitments at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, where the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty will formally launch under Brazil’s presidency. Nigeria joins countries such as Kenya, Brazil, and the Philippines in tailoring school feeding initiatives to meet national needs.

For Nigeria, the programme is crucial for combating food insecurity, particularly in conflict-prone and rural areas. Evidence suggests school meals improve nutrition, reduce poverty, and enhance education outcomes while fostering gender equality by curbing school dropouts among girls.

The World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted the initiative’s role in combating poverty and hunger. Cindy McCain, WFP’s Executive Director, described school meals as transformative, stating, “They open access to education, support local farmers, and foster economic growth.”

WFP plans to reach 27 million vulnerable children with nutritious meals by 2025 and support the coalition’s goal of 150 million children by 2030. Akihiko Nishio, Vice President of Development Finance at the World Bank, pledged the bank’s support through the International Development Association (IDA), aiming to extend social protection to 500 million people by 2030.