Dangote, NNPC Pledge ₦30.5bn For First Lady, Remi Tinubu’s Food Initiative

Nigeria’s private sector leaders and state governments on Thursday pledged over N30.5 billion in support of the National Community Food Bank Programme, a flagship initiative championed by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to combat hunger and food insecurity across the country.

The pledges were announced at the official launch of the programme and inauguration of its Board of Trustees, drawing commitments from major corporate organisations, philanthropic foundations, and subnational governments.

Leading the pack, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, represented by its Managing Director and CEO, Zouera Youssoufou, on behalf of Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, committed N20 billion in-kind support over five years.

“It is an honour to stand here today on behalf of the organised private sector. This programme directly addresses food insecurity among vulnerable households, particularly children under six.

“Aliko Dangote Foundation will commit N20 billion in-kind support over the next five years on the provision of fortified and nutritious food products”, Youssoufou said.

She urged broader corporate participation, saying, “I would like to call on the entire organised private sector to actively support this programme,” adding that its success would deliver “a Nigeria where no child goes to bed hungry,” in line with “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited also pledged N10 billion over five years, with Sofia Mbakwe representing the Group Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.

“This ceremony stands as a powerful testament of purposeful leadership by Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” Mbakwe said.

Highlighting the programme’s framework in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture, she added, “NNPC Limited is committing a starting sum of N10 billion to be disbursed over the five-year period.”

She assured that the company would “leverage our strategic partners and stands ready to work with you to ensure that this program delivers lasting and measurable impact.”

Also lending support, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation pledged N500 million, announced by its representative, Chidioke James.

“Today is not just about launching a fund. It is about launching hope. No society can truly prosper while hunger persists.

“We are very proud to stand with the mother of the nation, the First Lady. The founder has asked that I announce the commitment of 500 million.”

At the grassroots level, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) pledged full institutional support for the programme, describing it as timely and critical.

Represented by Hamisu Mohammed, ALGON said local governments, as “custodian of the community and the masses,” view the initiative as “a signature legacy project.”

“This initiative comes at a critical time for food insecurity and rising cost of living. Local government fully appreciates grassroots-driven solutions,” he said, pledging “cooperation and partnership particularly in rural and underserved communities.”

Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, assured that state governments would provide substantial counterpart funding.

“Across our states, we see the pressure many households face in accessing affordable and nutritious food. More than one third of the children under five are stunted. This points to chronic undernutrition with lasting consequences for fiscal growth and development. This is not only a health issue, it’s a national issue,” he said.

He praised the First Lady’s “personal commitment” to tackling hunger and aligned the initiative with ongoing state-level nutrition interventions.

“The NGF stands ready to work closely with the federal government… I’ll confer with my colleague… we’ll present a counterpart fund that will closely align to what the Federal Government is donating,” he added, referencing the Federal Ministry of Health’s N17 billion pledge.