The Federal Government has partnered with the Lagos State Government to provide nutritious breakfast snacks to primary school pupils through a new initiative aimed at improving learning outcomes and tackling classroom hunger.
The programme, tagged “Adopt a School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS,” will be officially launched by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on June 30.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the launch, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr. Aderemi Adebowale, said the initiative was designed to ensure that no child is deprived of quality education because of hunger.
She explained that the programme, which is being supported by the federal, state and local governments, seeks to mobilise individuals, corporate organisations, philanthropists, development partners, faith-based organisations and communities to support the nutritional needs of schoolchildren through a transparent school adoption model.
According to Adebowale, the initiative aligns with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme by promoting child welfare, educational development and human capital growth.
She said hunger continues to affect children’s concentration, school attendance, classroom participation and academic performance, adding that the programme seeks to address these challenges by ensuring that pupils begin their day with nutritious breakfast snacks.
“The initiative is about feeding minds, fueling learning, and building futures. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn without the burden of hunger,” she said.
Adebowale also unveiled a digital dashboard that will enable sponsors to adopt schools, monitor implementation, track beneficiaries and assess the impact of their contributions in real time.
She added that the programme would not only improve educational outcomes but also contribute to food security and national security.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, urged stakeholders and private sector operators to support local farmers who will supply food items for the programme.
She disclosed that the initiative would commence with a pilot phase in Lagos State, targeting thousands of pupils in public primary schools while creating opportunities for local agricultural producers.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children.
Omotoso said the programme would improve access to nutritious meals and help reduce the number of out-of-school children. He appealed to development partners, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative to ensure its sustainability.
Similarly, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, said the programme was aimed at addressing poverty and improving the academic performance of schoolchildren.
According to him, access to nutritious meals in a conducive learning environment is critical to building a brighter future for children and enhancing educational outcomes.
