The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to relaunch its National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) with an ambitious allocation of ₦100 billion in the proposed 2025 budget. This initiative, which had been suspended earlier in the year due to allegations of corruption, is poised to enhance educational access and tackle malnutrition among school-aged children.
A Resurrected Initiative
The NHGSFP was halted on January 12 following the suspension of Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), over accusations of financial mismanagement. The pause in the programme left millions of children without the nutritional support they had come to depend on.
In August, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, announced the government’s intention to revive the programme. Speaking on the initiative, Edun underscored its transformative potential, saying, “Feeding children at school would not only improve their health and wellbeing but also incentivise them to remain in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children.”
Budget Priorities
The NHGSFP is part of the broader Service Wide Vote (SWV), which has seen its total allocation increase to ₦6.7 trillion, up from ₦4.4 trillion in 2024. This significant boost reflects the government’s commitment to addressing critical issues spanning education, power, sports, and international obligations.
The feeding programme falls under the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, highlighting its importance as a key strategy to tackle Nigeria’s educational challenges. With over 10 million children currently out of school, the government views the NHGSFP as a crucial step toward reversing this troubling trend.
Electricity Debt and Other Allocations
In addition to funding school meals, the SWV budget includes ₦15 billion to settle electricity debts owed by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) recently disclosed that MDAs, including military institutions, owe a staggering ₦42 billion.
Similarly, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had earlier threatened to cut power supply to the Presidential Villa and 86 MDAs over a separate ₦47.1 billion debt. These debts have strained Nigeria’s electricity sector, prompting urgent intervention through the budget.
Other notable provisions in the SWV include:
- ₦2.3 billion for the entitlements of former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Chiefs of General Staff.
- ₦1 billion for severance benefits of retired heads of government agencies and parastatals.
- ₦5 billion for international sporting competitions.
- ₦41.2 billion for contributions to international organisations.
Challenges Ahead
The relaunch of the NHGSFP comes with high expectations but also significant challenges. Critics have questioned the programme’s sustainability, citing past cases of corruption and inefficiency. The suspension of Halima Shehu earlier this year highlighted the potential pitfalls of mismanagement.
An education expert, Dr. Funmi Ogunsola, expressed cautious optimism: “The NHGSFP is a fantastic idea, but its success will depend on proper implementation and transparency. We cannot afford another scandal that undermines public trust.”
Impact on Education and Health
Studies have consistently shown that school feeding programmes can boost enrollment and retention rates while addressing malnutrition among children. Nigeria, which accounts for a substantial share of the world’s out-of-school population, stands to gain significantly from the programme’s relaunch.
Wale Edun emphasized this point, stating, “This initiative is not just about feeding children; it is about securing their future and ensuring that every Nigerian child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.”
The NHGSFP, originally launched in 2016, aimed to provide free meals to primary school children across Nigeria. At its peak, it reached millions of children daily, creating jobs for farmers and caterers in the process.
