The Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked a substantial N100 billion for the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) as part of its proposed 2025 budget. The programme, which falls under the Service Wide Vote (SVW), will be implemented by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
The NHGSFP, designed to improve nutrition and encourage school attendance, was previously suspended on January 12, 2024, following allegations of financial misconduct involving Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA). Shehu was subsequently suspended, leading to a halt in operations.
In August, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced plans to relaunch the initiative, signaling the government’s renewed commitment to education and child welfare.
Speaking on the programme’s relaunch, Edun emphasized its dual benefits: “Feeding children in schools not only improves their health and wellbeing but also encourages them to stay in school. This will significantly contribute to reducing the number of out-of-school children across the nation.”
The NHGSFP has historically served as a critical component of Nigeria’s broader social welfare agenda, providing meals to millions of children in public primary schools. Its revival is expected to bolster efforts to address the country’s educational challenges, particularly in regions with high rates of school dropouts.
The N100 billion allocation underscores the government’s intention to ensure the programme’s sustainability and effectiveness, with hopes that the initiative will have a lasting impact on school enrollment, child nutrition, and overall educational outcomes in Nigeria.
Further details on the implementation timeline and oversight measures are expected to be outlined in subsequent announcements by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
