FG, Lagos launch ‘Adopt-a-School’ breakfast initiative to tackle classroom hunger
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Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the country's future, saying well-nourished children are more likely to succeed academically and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Federal Government, in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the chairmen of the state’s 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), on Tuesday launched the Adopt-a-School: Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative to combat classroom hunger and improve learning outcomes among primary school pupils.
The programme, introduced under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, was officially inaugurated at the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat, with simultaneous rollouts across Lagos’ three senatorial districts, 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs.
Designed as a public-private partnership, the initiative seeks to mobilise corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists, faith-based groups and Nigerians in the diaspora to sponsor nutritious breakfast meals for pupils before the start of school each day.
Beyond addressing child nutrition, the programme is expected to boost school enrolment, improve attendance, enhance concentration in classrooms and raise academic performance while reducing the number of out-of-school children.
The launch featured the distribution of breakfast packs alongside educational materials, including school bags, tablets, notebooks, snack boxes, water bottles and flasks to pupils.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the country’s future, saying well-nourished children are more likely to succeed academically and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and the private sector to improve children’s welfare.
“When hunger is addressed, poverty is reduced. Lagos State will continue to partner with the Federal Government, private organisations, NGOs and every well-meaning individual willing to support our children. Nation-building is not the responsibility of government alone.
“This programme is not just about providing food. The children are also receiving school bags, tablets, snack boxes, water bottles, flasks, notebooks and other learning materials. Our doors remain open to organisations and individuals who want to contribute to child development under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda,” he said.
The National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, said Lagos was selected for the official launch because of its reputation for pioneering impactful programmes, despite earlier pre-launch activities in Kano and Abuja.
She explained that the breakfast initiative complements the Federal Government’s existing school feeding programme by ensuring pupils receive nutritious snacks and beverages before classes commence.
“Lagos leads and others follow. We conducted successful pre-launches in Kano and Abuja, but we chose Lagos for the official launch because of its leadership role.
“Children do not know political parties; they only know food. Our objective is to ensure that no child starts learning on an empty stomach,” she said.
Adebowale disclosed that the programme would be managed through a digital dashboard, allowing individuals, corporate organisations, faith-based institutions, development partners and Nigerians in the diaspora to adopt schools and sponsor breakfast meals as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
She stressed that the new initiative would complement—not replace—the existing National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
“The Federal Government will continue with the regular school feeding programme, while this initiative mobilises the private sector and communities to provide breakfast before classes begin.
“We will never give children food that we cannot eat. The goal is to ensure children come to school early, stay in school, perform better academically and ultimately become future leaders,” she added.
Chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA, Hon. Muibi Folawiyo, described the choice of the council to host the launch as significant, saying the initiative would improve punctuality, school attendance and the overall learning environment.
He appealed to banks, insurance companies, religious organisations and other corporate bodies to support schools within their host communities by adopting them under the programme.
“Government cannot do it alone. This is an opportunity for the private sector and other stakeholders to invest in the future of our children. The investment we make today will determine the Nigeria we build tomorrow,” Folawiyo said.
Excited beneficiaries, who received breakfast packs and educational materials, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and local council authorities, saying the initiative would encourage them to attend school regularly and study with greater enthusiasm.
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