50 Million Pupils to Benefit from Expanded School Feeding Scheme in 2026
The Federal Government has announced plans to expand the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme to reach 50 million primary school pupils by 2026.
According to Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, the initiative will cover pupils from Primary 1 to 6, as well as out-of-school children, with integration carried out step by step.
She explained that the government is working to ensure each child receives a nutritious and delicious daily meal at a cost of between ₦500 and ₦1,000 per child.
To keep the programme sustainable, the agency has created an alignment of smallholder farmers, aggregators, suppliers, and partners to stabilise prices and guarantee service delivery.
This development builds on the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Project, inaugurated on May 27, 2025, which initially targeted 20 million underserved children.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education and the National Identity Management Commission, and forms a core component of the government’s social investment agenda.
At its heart, this initiative is more than just a feeding programme. It represents a commitment to every Nigerian child’s right to adequate nutrition, education, and development, ensuring that no child is left behind in the journey toward a healthier, more inclusive future.
