The Federal Government of Nigeria is working to expand its National Home‑Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) to reach 50 million primary‑school pupils by 2026. Dr. Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), disclosed this in an interview. The programme will be rolled out in phases, first covering early years—primary 1 to 3 and primary 4 to 6—and eventually including out‑of‑school children. The aim is to provide a nutritious meal to each child at a target cost of N500 to N1,000 per pupil.
To achieve these cost targets, the agency is forming alliances with small‑holder farmers, aggregators and supply‑chain developers to control prices. By negotiating with suppliers, agri‑vendors and farmers, the agency hopes to secure a reasonable cost per plate while maintaining meal quality.
The NHGSFP is part of the broader National Social Investment Programme, introduced to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office. In May 2025, the Federal Government inaugurated the Alternate Education and Renewed Hope National Home‑Grown School Feeding Project, which aims to provide meals for 20 million out‑of‑school and underserved children by 2026. This initiative is being implemented through the Renewed Hope National Home‑Grown School Feeding Programme (RH‑NHGSFP) in partnership with relevant agencies.
The expansion of the NHGSFP is significant because it can improve nutrition and educational outcomes for millions of Nigerian children. By supplying meals, the government hopes to boost enrollment and attendance rates, especially among disadvantaged groups. The programme’s success will depend on effective implementation, cost control and the consistent quality of meals.
Overall, the Federal Government’s effort to broaden the NHGSFP addresses hunger and malnutrition while supporting education. With a focus on nutrition and learning, the programme has the potential to positively impact millions of children and contribute to Nigeria’s development goals. Ongoing monitoring and prompt resolution of challenges will be essential to ensure its success.
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