Tinubu Commends Pate On Health Reforms, Launches Trust Fund With #500m ..... Inaugurates NCFBP Board of Trustees

"Globally, food banks have proven to be an effective mechanism for ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most through strategic partnerships with farmers, food producers, corporate organizations, civil society groups, and community institutions. Food banks create a bridge to take upon us a need." Senator Oluremi Tinubu

..... Says "This initiative is in line with the meaningful agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to advance food security and safeguard the well-being of indigenous children."

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched the Community Food Bank Trust Fund and inaugurated members of the Board of Trustees of the Fund, supporting the program personally with Five hundred Million (N500M) Naira.

Senator Tinubu, in her inaugural speech at the State House Abuja, on 2nd April, 2026, expressed her happiness with the demonstration of generosity and support shown towards strengthening food support systems for vulnerable households across Nigeria.

Emphasizing on the need to tackle cases of acute malnutrition in the country, the First Lady pointed out that child malnutrition in Nigeria remains a current national priority, with millions of children in need of consistent access to the nourishment required for healthy growth and development, warning that our inaction affects their health, growth, potential, and future, hence addressing this issue is both urgent and essential to securing the nation's future.

She added that the Community Food Bank Program was conceived as a delicate and sustainable response to bringing healthy and nutritious food within the reach of vulnerable children under 16, noting that the initiative aims to strengthen community-based nutrition systems and restore food equity in communities. 

"This initiative is in line with the meaningful agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to advance food security and safeguard the well-being of indigenous children." She stated.

The Community Food Bank Programme initiated in conjunction with the Office of the First Lady, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Development Agency, and the Bank of Agriculture is aimed to building a strong and effective food bank system in Nigeria that is supported through a well-structured trust fund, governed transparently, and capable of reaching communities and households across the country.

"Globally, food banks have proven to be an effective mechanism for ensuring that nutritious food reaches those who need it most through strategic partnerships with farmers, food producers, corporate organizations, civil society groups, and community institutions. Food banks create a bridge to take upon us a need."

While acknowledging stakeholders  such as captains of industry, business executives, top government functionaries, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, and all other critical stakeholders for their support, the First Lady said members of the Board of Trustees of the Community Food Bank Trust Fund are distinguished individuals with wealth of experience, integrity, and deep commitment to public service. 

Senator Oluremi further expressed optimism that they will provide the strategic leadership and oversight needed to ensure that this trust fund is governed with transparency, efficiency, and accountability, reassuring that their collective leadership will ensure that every Nigerian community is used judiciously.

"I congratulate you all and thank you for accepting this important national responsibility. Also, I applaud the individuals and organizations that have already demonstrated confidence in this initiative through their generous pledges and donations." She said.

She then appealed to many more well-meaning Nigerians, organizations, and institutions to join this national effort as the goals are being taken across the six geopolitical zones of the country, commending the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate and his entourage, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bank of Industry, Dr. Olasupo Olusi for their collaboration and support in advancing this initiative.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Professor, Muhammad Ali Pate, said the initiative came at a very important moment in the nation's journey under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose meaningful agenda places strong emphasis on improving the well-being, health and social protection of all Nigerians. 

He acknowledged the great  leadership of Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Federal Republic, who conceived, and guided the program which aligns with the President's vision for the health sector, articulated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through the health sector renewal and investment initiative. 

The Coordinating Minister further stated that the Ministry is pursuing all reforms to strengthen our health system multisectorally, emphasizing that access to primary healthcare services has been expanded which improve the health population outcomes of Nigerians.

He announced that some friends and well wishers of the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who pleaded not to be mentioned donated Five hundred Thousand ($500,000) US Dollars and the Federal government of Nigeria through the Social Action fund donated Seventeen (N17BN) Billion Naira to the National Community Food Bank Programme.

The event was colourful with presentation of goodwill messages and donations with Dangote Foundation in lead with the sum of Twenty (N20BN) billion Naira, followed by NNPC ltd, Ten (N10BN) Billion Naira, and Emeka Foundation, Five hundred (N500M) billion Naira, to be disbursed over the period of five years of the program.

National Community Food Bank Programme is initiated with a view to curb malnutrition amongst the vulnerable persons in the communities, flag-off in six geo-political zones from April -June, 2026, and expected to be fully implemented across the 774 Local Government Areas from July - December 2026.