The Federal Government, in partnership with the Lagos State Government and Conference 57, has unveiled the “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS” initiative to provide nutritious breakfast snacks to primary school pupils and improve learning outcomes across schools.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the programme’s launch in Lagos on June 30, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr Aderemi Adebowale, said the initiative was created to ensure that no child is denied quality education because of hunger.

According to her, the Lagos initiative is being supported by the three tiers of government — federal, state and local — alongside development partners and private sector stakeholders.

Adebowale commended Bola Tinubu, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), the 57 local government and local council development area chairmen in Lagos State, and other partners for supporting the programme.

She explained that the initiative aims to mobilise individuals, corporate organisations, philanthropists, development partners, faith-based organisations and communities to support the nutritional needs of schoolchildren through a transparent school-adoption model.

She noted that the programme aligns with the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme by promoting child welfare, educational development and human capital growth.

Adebowale also unveiled a digital dashboard that will allow sponsors to adopt schools, monitor implementation, track beneficiaries and assess the impact of their contributions in real time.

“The initiative is about feeding minds, fuelling learning and building futures. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn without the burden of hunger,” she said.

She said hunger remains a major challenge affecting children’s concentration, school attendance, classroom participation and academic performance.

According to her, the initiative is designed to tackle classroom hunger, improve concentration, boost school attendance and enhance academic performance through community and private sector support.

She added that ensuring pupils start their school day with nutritious breakfast snacks would not only improve learning outcomes but also contribute to food and national security.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, urged stakeholders and private sector operators to support local farmers who would supply food items for the programme.

Olusanya said the initiative would begin with a pilot phase in Lagos State, targeting thousands of pupils in public primary schools while creating opportunities for local agricultural producers.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children.

He said the programme would improve access to nutritious meals and help reduce the number of out-of-school children.

Omotoso appealed to the private sector, development partners and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative and ensure its sustainability and impact.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, said the programme, scheduled to be officially flagged off on June 30, is aimed at tackling poverty and improving the academic performance of schoolchildren.

He stressed that access to nutritious meals in a conducive learning environment is critical to building a brighter future for children and improving educational outcomes.

The Co-Chief Executive Officers of Tantacom, Mrs Olufunke Adu and Ms Jennifer Odufuwa, also expressed commitment to the success of the initiative, which will run from June 30 to July 3 across Lagos State’s three senatorial districts and 57 local government and local council development areas. (Nigerian Tribune)