14. September 2025
Admin
FG Plans to Feed 50 Million Pupils by 2026: Ambitious School-Feeding Expansion
The Federal Government has announced its intention to scale up the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), aiming to feed **50 million primary school pupils** by 2026, including early primary years and out-of-school children.
Quick Snapshot:
- Target reach: Pupils in primary 1-3, primary 4-6, plus some out-of-school children.
- Estimated cost per child’s daily meal: between ₦500-₦1,000 depending on region and menu.
- To succeed: supply chain alignment with smallholder farmers and local vendors for cost control.
- Part of a broader Renewed Hope initiative including the Alternate Education & Out-of-School feeding component.
What It Means for Stakeholders
- Pupils: better nutrition could improve attendance, focus and performance in school.
- Small farmers & vendors: assured market demand for locally grown food.
- Government: requires massive funding, efficient logistics, accountability & monitoring to meet scale.
Challenges & Risks to Watch Out For
- Funding gaps: ensuring consistent budget release & avoiding delays.
- Transparency: verifying beneficiary counts, food quality, vendor payments.
- Logistics & infrastructure: reaching remote, rural & underserved communities.
- Nutrition quality vs cost pressures: menus must be both affordable and sufficient.
Final Thoughts
The goal of feeding 50 million pupils is bold and potentially transformative. If well-managed, it could reduce hunger, improve education outcomes, support local agriculture, and strengthen social safety nets. But without strong oversight and enough resources, the risk is falling short.
Reminder: Watch closely for official published reports (menus, vendor payments, audit results) to ensure this plan translates into real meals — not just announcements.
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