A transformative chapter in Nigeria’s drive to strengthen basic education, improve child nutrition and build human capital will commence on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), under the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the Lagos State Government and Conference 57, launches the landmark “Adopt A School for Snacks 4 Thought – PBAT FEEDS” initiative across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State.
The initiative marks a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children by combining nutrition, education, technology and community participation to tackle classroom hunger, improve learning outcomes and create an enabling environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.
At the heart of the programme is the distribution of nutritious breakfast snacks to 30,000 public primary school pupils in selected schools across Lagos State, reinforcing the belief that a well-fed child is better positioned to learn, thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Beyond providing food, the programme represents a comprehensive intervention designed to increase school enrolment, reduce the number of out-of-school children, improve attendance, strengthen classroom concentration, enhance literacy and numeracy outcomes, and promote cognitive development among pupils.
Education experts have consistently maintained that hunger remains one of the greatest barriers to effective learning. By ensuring that children begin each school day with nutritious meals, the Renewed Hope School Feeding Programme seeks to remove a major obstacle to academic excellence while supporting families facing economic challenges.
The initiative also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Agenda, particularly its pillars on Education, Health, Social Inclusion and Food Security, as well as several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) and No Poverty (SDG 1).
One of the defining features of the programme is its emphasis on collaboration. Through the Adopt A School for Snacks 4 Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative, governments at the federal, state and local levels are joining forces with the private sector, development partners, corporate organisations, philanthropists, alumni associations, faith-based organisations, non-governmental organisations and community groups to invest directly in the nutrition and education of Nigerian children.
The programme’s innovative PBAT FEEDS Digital Dashboard, which goes live on June 30, introduces a transparent, technology-driven platform that enables sponsors to adopt schools, monitor implementation in real time, track beneficiaries and measure impact. The digital solution is expected to enhance accountability, transparency and public confidence while encouraging greater participation from corporate and development partners.
The official launch ceremony will take place at Lagos Island East Local Government on Tuesday, June 30, with simultaneous commencement of snack distribution across participating schools in all 57 Local Governments and LCDAs. Feeding activities will continue daily until July 3, culminating in a closing ceremony at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government. Stakeholders have described the initiative as a practical demonstration of how nutrition can be deployed as a catalyst for educational advancement, poverty reduction, social inclusion and national development.
Leading the implementation of this ambitious programme is the National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, whose leadership has attracted widespread commendation from stakeholders across government and the development sector. Princess Adebowale, a former Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Civic Engagement, brings to the programme a wealth of experience in stakeholder management, grassroots mobilisation, strategic partnerships and inclusive governance. Her outstanding record in public service has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between government institutions, communities, civil society organisations and the private sector.
Stakeholders have praised her ability to build consensus, promote transparency and drive innovative solutions that place citizens at the centre of governance. Her inclusive leadership style has significantly strengthened public confidence in the school feeding initiative and positioned it as a sustainable platform for improving child welfare and educational outcomes.
Speaking during the pre-launch media briefing, Princess Adebowale reiterated that no child should be denied access to quality education because of hunger. She explained that the initiative seeks not only to feed children but also to nourish dreams, improve educational attainment and build a healthier generation equipped to contribute to Nigeria’s socioeconomic transformation. She further noted that the programme demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening food security, improving human capital development and supporting vulnerable households through sustainable interventions capable of delivering measurable impact.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, highlighted the programme’s potential to create opportunities for local farmers and strengthen agricultural value chains through local sourcing of food items. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the initiative as a strategic investment capable of reducing the number of out-of-school children while improving educational access and outcomes. Similarly, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Tolani Ali-Balogun, emphasised that access to nutritious meals remains fundamental to improving pupils’ academic performance and building a brighter future for children.
As Lagos prepares to commence the statewide rollout, expectations remain high that the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme will become a model for integrated social investment by demonstrating how nutrition, education, innovation and strategic partnerships can work together to transform lives.
Indeed, the Adopt A School for Snacks 4 Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative is more than a feeding programme; it is a movement that seeks to mobilise governments, businesses, development partners and communities around a common goal of ensuring that no Nigerian child learns on an empty stomach.
With nutrition serving as the foundation for learning and education serving as the pathway to prosperity, the initiative reinforces the conviction that investing in children today is the surest route to building a healthier, more educated and more prosperous Nigeria.
Bello Akinkunmi Yakub is a member, Renewed Hope Global and writes from Lagos, Nigeria*
