Nigeria Launches Child Malnutrition Food Bank Campaign

Remi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has launched the National Advocacy and Awareness Campaign for the National Community Food Bank Programme in Abuja. This initiative, set to officially launch in April 2026, aims to combat child malnutrition, particularly among infants and vulnerable children across Nigeria. The program is a collaborative effort between the Office of the First Lady, the Nigeria===Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Nigeria===National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). It will operate through Primary Health Centres nationwide, identifying and registering eligible families who will receive counselling and food vouchers redeemable for nutritious locally grown foods at community food banks. The initiative will be funded by a Trust Fund supported by private sector partners like the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture, and overseen by credible Nigerians to ensure accountability. The campaign emphasizes the critical role of traditional and religious leaders in mobilizing communities and ensuring widespread participation. Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, and President Bola Tinubu have both expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its importance for national development and the well-being of Nigerians. Development partners such as the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group also recognize the central role of community leaders in achieving universal health coverage.