1. Dangote Foundation pledges N20bn, NNPC N10bn, Offor N500m, Governors N17bn

Nigeria’s private sector and local governments rallied behind the National Community Food Bank Programme on Thursday, with pledges totalling over N30.5 billion announced at its launch and Board of Trustees inauguration, championing the First Lady’s drive against hunger.

Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director and CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, led with a N20 billion in-kind commitment 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,” Youssoufou said. “Aliko Dangote Foundation will commit N20 billion in-kind support over the next five years on the provision of fortified and nutritious food products.”

She urged others: “I would like to call on the entire organised private sector to actively support this programme,” tying it to “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” Success means “a Nigeria where no child goes to bed hungry.”

Sofia Mbakwe, who represented Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s Group Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, pledged N10 billion over five years. “This ceremony stands as a powerful testament of purposeful leadership by Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” she said. Praising the Trust Fund’s framework with the Bank of Agriculture, Mbakwe noted: “NNPC Limited is committing a starting sum of N10 billion to be disbursed over the five-year period.” NNPC will “leverage our strategic partners and stand ready to work with you to ensure that this programme delivers lasting and measurable impact.”

Chidioke James, representing the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, announced N500 million immediately. “Today is not just about launching a fund. It is about launching hope. No society can truly prosper while hunger persists,” James stated. “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 N500 million.”

The representative of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hamisu Mohammed, offered grassroots endorsement without a financial pledge but full partnership. As “custodian of the community and the masses,” he called it “a signature legacy project.

“This initiative comes at a critical time for food insecurity and the rising cost of living. Local government fully appreciates grassroots-driven solutions.” ALGON aligns with its “commitment to community development and poverty reduction”, pledging “cooperation and partnership, particularly in rural and underserved communities.”

The speakers hailed the programme’s role in nutrition, resilience, and value chains, signalling unified action against vulnerability.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq promised major 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 commended the First Lady’s “personal commitment” and aligned it with governors’ nutrition efforts, vowing, “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,” referencing the Federal Ministry of Health’s N17 billion pledge. (The Sun)