The Federal Government has announced plans to feed up to 20 million pupils by 2026 through the Renewed Hope National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, describing it as a tool for education, economic growth, and national security.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Dr. Kolade Fasua, disclosed this during a policy forum on the institutionalisation of the programme in Abuja.
“This is not just a social intervention but a national security investment,” Shettima stressed. “Every hot meal served in a classroom also acts as a barrier against recruitment into violent groups, a reinforcement of the state’s presence, and a source of hope in conflict-prone communities.”
The Vice President explained that sustaining nationwide coverage could cost up to ₦1 trillion, but argued that the returns far outweigh the financial outlay.
He also noted that the scheme will stimulate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), empower women, and guarantee markets for local farmers.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tanko Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, recommended that a National Homegrown School Feeding Act be passed into law to secure its future beyond electoral cycles.