No fewer than 30,000 pupils in public primary schools across Lagos State will benefit from a new school feeding initiative designed to improve child nutrition, boost classroom concentration and enhance learning outcomes.
The programme, titled “Adopt A School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS!”, was unveiled by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
The initiative will begin with a pilot phase from June 30 to July 2, during which selected pupils will receive nutritious snacks and beverages each school day.
A digital monitoring dashboard was also launched to improve transparency, accountability and stakeholder participation in the implementation of the programme.
Speaking at the unveiling, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Aderemi Adebowale, said the intervention seeks to address the challenge of hunger among schoolchildren, which often affects their ability to learn effectively.
She noted that adequate nutrition is essential for improving pupils’ concentration, memory, classroom participation, attendance and overall academic performance, describing the programme as an investment in Nigeria’s human capital development.
Adebowale explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is structured to encourage participation from private organisations, philanthropists, development partners, alumni associations, faith-based groups, professional bodies, communities and government institutions.
Under the adoption model, sponsors can choose to support a classroom, an entire school, multiple schools, a local government area, a senatorial district or even a whole state.
She added that the newly introduced digital dashboard would enable sponsors to identify schools, access enrolment data, complete sponsorship commitments and monitor the implementation of projects in real time through attendance records, distribution reports and field verification tools.
Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the programme would also create economic opportunities for local farmers by strengthening demand for locally produced food items.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, described the initiative as a significant step toward reducing learning poverty, stressing that well-nourished children are better positioned to succeed academically.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the programme represents an investment in the future of Nigerian children, adding that improved nutrition would increase school attendance and support efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The Lagos State Government urged corporate organisations, development partners and well-meaning individuals to support the initiative to ensure its long-term sustainability while advancing education and human capital development across the state.
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