The federal government has inaugurated a community-based national food bank programme to boost food security and expand access to nutritious food for vulnerable Nigerians nationwide, targeting households facing hunger and malnutrition challenges.

The initiative, championed by the office of the first lady under Oluremi Tinubu, aims to reach at-risk households, especially women and children, with coordinated nutrition support and inclusive, community-driven distribution systems.

Agriculture minister Abubakar Kyari described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to transition from emergency food assistance to a sustainable, well-structured national distribution system.

Mr Kyari, speaking at the inauguration on Thursday in Abuja, said millions of Nigerians struggled to access basic nutrition, with children under five disproportionately affected, underscoring the urgency of targeted, measurable, and scalable interventions nationwide.

He said the initiative was anchored in strong community systems and national coordination to ensure support remained organised, transparent, and sustainable while improving the efficient delivery of locally produced food to vulnerable populations.

Mr Kyari highlighted a multi-sectoral approach, commending the Bank of Agriculture for bridging production and distribution by aggregating food supplies and coordinating deliveries to communities, reducing post-harvest losses and maximising national impact.

Mansur Muhtar, a member of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Lead Group, described the initiative as transformative in tackling hunger and malnutrition across Nigeria through coordinated national and community-driven efforts.

Mr Muhtar commended the first lady’s office for conceiving a programme that blended compassion, leadership, and structured engagement to address food insecurity among vulnerable populations nationwide.

He described the first lady as a steadfast advocate for women, children, and vulnerable groups, noting the initiative reflected a vision of value-driven leadership rooted in service, empathy, and sustained commitment to national development goals.

Mr Muhtar called for collective action among government agencies, civil society organisations, private sector actors, and international partners, stressing that broad collaboration was essential to ensure the programme’s long-term success and measurable impact nationwide.

Drawing from personal experience, he described the programme as deeply significant, citing firsthand exposure to the devastating effects of malnutrition on children and families, both globally and within grassroots communities in Nigeria.

He pledged that the board of trustees would effectively guide the trust fund in fulfilling its mandate to nourish families, strengthen communities, and restore hope to millions of Nigerians facing persistent food insecurity.

According to him, food security is not only a humanitarian necessity but also a critical driver of economic growth, social stability, and national development, influencing health outcomes, productivity, and long-term societal resilience.

He added that a well-nourished population enhanced health, education, and productivity, creating a ripple effect that strengthened communities and contributed significantly to sustainable national growth and inclusive development across sectors.

(NAN)