The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling hunger and improving education through innovative programmes and policies. The presidential aide reiterated this position during her address at the G20 Summit side event organized by the Global Alliance Against Hunger in Brazil.
In her presentation, the SSAP-SDGs outlined the government’s ambitious plans under the Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, scheduled for relaunch in November 2024. The initiative aims to provide 20 million children annually with access to nutritious meals, fostering better educational outcomes while supporting local agricultural production and economic empowerment.
Key features of the initiative include:
1. School Farms Initiative: Schools will establish farms to supply 10% of the food items required for the feeding program, promoting agricultural education and sustainability.
2. Support for Smallholder Farmers: The program will engage 250,000 smallholder farmers and aggregators, creating jobs and strengthening local food supply chains.
3. Reducing Out-of-School Children: By 2026, the initiative seeks to improve school attendance and reduce the number of out-of-school children by 30%, underscoring Nigeria’s commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education).
4. Innovative Funding Models: Nigeria will deepen private sector engagement and adopt innovative funding mechanisms to cover 30% of program costs by December 2026.
Speaking at the event, Princess Orelope-Adefulire emphasized the importance of collaboration to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4.
She stated: “The Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme represents our unwavering dedication to ensuring that no child goes to school hungry and that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive. By integrating local food systems, empowering smallholder farmers, and engaging the private sector, we are building a sustainable model that addresses hunger and supports education.”
The SSAP-SDGs further highlighted the need for global partnerships and knowledge sharing to enhance the programmes’ impact, urging G20 stakeholders to support Nigeria’s efforts to end hunger and foster inclusive development.
