Key points
- Private sector commits over $30bn and ₦500m to National Food-bank programme
- Dangote, NNPC and Sir Emeka Offor lead corporate support for initiative
- Programme targets food insecurity, malnutrition and agricultural value chain growth
Main story
Nigeria’s organised private sector has pledged substantial financial and strategic support towards tackling food insecurity, committing over $30 billion and ₦500 million to the National Food-bank programme.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Wife of the President, was formally launched with the inauguration of its Trust Fund in Abuja, bringing together business leaders, government officials and development stakeholders.
The programme aims to address rising cases of hunger and malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups such as women and children, while strengthening the country’s food systems.
Speaking at the event, President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for championing the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention to address pressing national needs.
Dangote stressed the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in achieving sustainable development, noting that such partnerships have proven effective in previous national interventions, including nutrition and COVID-19 response efforts.
He announced a commitment of ₦20 billion over five years in support of the programme.
Similarly, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed that the company would contribute ₦10 million over five years to support the initiative.
Ojulari said NNPC Limited would also leverage strategic partnerships to enhance collaboration, improve operational efficiency and strengthen social impact initiatives.
He added that the intervention aligns with the company’s broader mandate to support livelihoods, create jobs and promote social stability beyond the energy sector.
In another major contribution, philanthropist and founder of the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Sir Emeka Offor, donated ₦500 million to the National Community Investment Programme, a component of the broader food-bank initiative.
Offor noted that the programme reflects a shared commitment to improving the welfare of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations while fostering stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
According to organisers, the food-bank programme is designed to tackle food insecurity by strengthening agricultural value chains, enhancing transparency and ensuring sustainability through robust governance frameworks modelled on financial institutions such as the Bank of Agriculture.
The initiative is also expected to empower smallholder farmers, improve nutrition outcomes and build resilience among households across the country.
The issues
Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in food security, driven by inflation, climate-related disruptions, insecurity in agricultural regions and inefficiencies within food distribution systems.
Malnutrition remains a pressing concern, particularly among children and rural populations, highlighting the need for coordinated interventions and sustained investment.
What’s being said
Stakeholders emphasised that addressing food insecurity requires a multi-sectoral approach, with the private sector playing a critical role in funding, innovation and implementation.
They also stressed the importance of transparency, accountability and effective governance in ensuring the success of the initiative.
What’s next
The Food-bank programme is expected to roll out in phases, with continued collaboration between government agencies, private sector partners and development organisations.
Organisers say focus will remain on scaling impact, improving distribution systems and tracking measurable outcomes in nutrition and food access.
Bottom line
The massive private sector backing for Nigeria’s National Food-bank programme signals growing momentum in the fight against hunger, underscoring the role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable solutions to food insecurity.
