FG Flags Off New School Feeding Programme in Kano

The Federal Government has officially launched the Renewed Hope–National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH–NHGSFP) in Kano State, marking a renewed commitment to improving child nutrition, education, and learning outcomes across the country.

The new initiative, tagged “Snacks for Thought” Breakfast, commenced with four pilot schools — Sumaila Special Primary School, Kofar Nasarawa Primary School, Ganduje Nomadic School, and Magwan Primary School — where pupils received nutritious breakfast packs under the supervision of federal and state officials.

The programme forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises human capital development through child-focused interventions in education, health, and nutrition.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at Kofar Nasarawa Primary School, Kano, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope–National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, described the initiative as “a declaration that the Nigerian child matters.”

She said the programme was designed not only to feed children but to restore their dignity, improve concentration in classrooms, and build a stronger foundation for national transformation.

“This is more than food. It is love. It is dignity. It is a loud declaration that the Nigerian child matters,” Adebowale said.
“Every day, too many children sit in classrooms with empty stomachs. Hunger becomes the first lesson of the day. ‘Snacks for Thought’ answers that question. It ensures every child starts the day with nourishment, focus, confidence, and the freedom to dream.”

Adebowale explained that the school feeding scheme was part of the government’s broader effort to reduce hunger, boost enrollment, and enhance children’s performance in schools.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda places children at the center of national transformation. Every breakfast served here today builds human capital, strengthens education outcomes, and invests in the productivity of tomorrow’s workforce,” she said.

She added that “great leaders rise from simple classrooms like these”, emphasizing that the initiative was both a moral and social investment in Nigeria’s future.

“Our duty is to make sure every pupil finds a pathway from hunger to hope. Let this moment spark a national movement. Let every stakeholder rise and say, ‘No child should learn on an empty stomach!’” she declared.

Dr. Adebowale also noted that the federal government would sustain the existing school lunch programme that supports smallholder farmers, women food vendors, and youth participation in monitoring and evaluation.

The new “PBAT Feeds Breakfast” complements that effort by engaging the private sector, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and community participation.

“The PBAT Feeds Breakfast is a complementary initiative that embraces CSR, philanthropy, private-sector leadership, and community participation. Development becomes truly sustainable only when everyone joins hands,” she stated.

Adebowale expressed appreciation to both public and private partners, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), TechnoServe, and business community leaders, for their collaboration in the initiative.

“We deeply appreciate our partners from NIMC, TechnoServe, and the committed leaders from the business community. Your response to this call affirms that progress is fastest when communities drive the wheel of change,” she said.

She also commended the Kano State Government for its cooperation and enthusiasm toward the programme’s implementation.

“We also celebrate the unwavering support of the Kano State Government. Kano represents the heart of learning and commerce in our nation. When a programme scales in Kano, the rest of Nigeria feels the impact,” Adebowale added.

The Snacks for Thought programme represents one of the first major rollouts of the Renewed Hope School Feeding Plan, which aims to address the link between hunger and poor learning performance.

With thousands of schoolchildren expected to benefit as the programme expands, officials say the initiative underscores the administration’s belief that “a nourished child is a learning child.”