Over 500,000 vulnerable Nigerian households will benefit as NPHCDA launches the National Community Food Bank Programme to improve access to nutritious food nationwide.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency has launched the National Community Food Bank Programme to improve access to nutritious foods for vulnerable households across Nigeria.
Executive Director of the agency, Muyi Aina, disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of the programme’s Trust Fund, which brought together business leaders, government officials and stakeholders.
Aina said the nationwide initiative would target families with young children up to six years, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of malnutrition.
According to him, the programme will be implemented across all 774 Local Government Areas and will link primary health care centres with community food banks stocked with locally sourced grains and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods.
He explained that eligible households would be identified through health screenings at primary health care centres and provided with vouchers redeemable at designated food banks. Families will continue to receive support until children turn six or their nutritional status improves.
Aina highlighted the urgency of the initiative, noting that although Nigeria produces surplus crops, between 30 and 50 per cent of harvested food is lost annually, equivalent to about 30 to 40 million metric tonnes.
He said the programme would leverage Nigeria’s agricultural potential to ensure surplus food reaches vulnerable households while improving child growth, health and school readiness.
The executive director added that the initiative would also strengthen local food systems by sourcing produce from Nigerian farmers, creating a steady market, improving supply chains and enhancing access to finance for smallholder producers.
He noted that community health workers, social workers and traditional leaders would be involved in monitoring distribution and ensuring accountability.
Aina said the programme is a multi-sectoral effort led by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Women Affairs, Budget and Economic Planning, the Bank of Agriculture, private sector actors and development partners.
He added that the programme would be rolled out in phases beginning with six states representing each geopolitical zone in 2026, starting with Borno State later in April.
By the end of the year, more than 500,000 households are expected to benefit, with over 13,000 primary health care centres serving as entry points and community food banks functioning as distribution hubs nationwide.
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