Oluremi Tinubu Launches Nigeria's First Food Bank Program

On April 3, 2023, Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, unveiled the nation's first community food bank program in Maiduguri, Borno State. This initiative aims to address hunger and malnutrition in the region.

During the launch, it was announced that the program has received pledges totaling N66 billion. Key contributors include the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which pledged N20 billion over five years, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, which committed N10 billion.

Additionally, the Emeka Offor Foundation pledged N500 million, and an anonymous donor contributed approximately N750 million. Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, announced that President Bola Tinubu approved a special intervention fund of N17 billion to support the program.

The community food bank program is designed to establish community-based food banks in every local government area, linking them to basic healthcare provisions and supporting primary healthcare centers through partnerships with agricultural banks.