As the need for nutritious meals in Nigerian schools grows, the United Nations international Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Bank and other critical partners have answered the call by promising to unite their efforts for the success of the school feeding programme in Nigeria.
They made the commitment in Abuja yesterday, during a stakeholders meeting on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) innovative financing to enhance financial investment in school feeding in Africa.
It would be recalled that in a bid to tackle the crisis of out-of-school children and improve learning outcomes, President Bola Tinubu reintroduced the school feeding programme and mandated its transfer from the Humanitarian Ministry to the Education Ministry, with the belief that the relaunch would be crucial in checking the learning crisis and fostering a better educational environment for all children.
However, at the meeting in Abuja yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the president on school feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji said it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of school feeding programs in Africa as the initiatives have a significant impact on the educational, nutritional, and overall development of children across the continent.
She said implementing and sustaining these programmes can be quite challenging due to financial constraints and resource limitations.
According to her, the stakeholders were brought together from various sectors, including governments, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and financial institutions to find innovative solutions to address the funding gaps, leverage investments, and ensure the sustainability and scalability of school feeding programs in Africa.
“Today, we are here to explore the potential of Public-Private Partnerships as a viable solution. PPPs provide a unique opportunity for governments, private entities, and other stakeholders to come together, pool resources, and create sustainable funding models for school feeding programs. By combining the strengths and expertise of different sectors, we can achieve far greater impact and change lives for the better.
“Throughout this meeting, we will have the privilege of hearing from esteemed speakers who will share their experiences, insights, and success stories in PPPs and innovative financing models. We will discuss the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the way forward for sustainable investments in school feeding programs. Together, we aim to chart a clear path towards securing financial support, ensuring accountability, and improving the quality and reach of these vital programs across Africa.
“I encourage each of you to actively engage, exchange ideas, and build networks. This meeting is not just a one-time event; it is the starting point for an ongoing dialogue and collaboration. Let us commit ourselves to finding practical solutions that will improve the lives of millions of children in Africa, ensuring they receive the nutrition they need to thrive, and providing them with a strong foundation for their future,” she said.
On her part, the representative of UNICEF, Nkiruka Owenum expressed the willingness of the agency to support the Nigerian government for the success of school feeding. “As the school feeding Programme is being reconsidered to include public and private partnerships it is important for us to know that the school feeding Programme will boost local economy, supporting local farmers.
“School Feeding is also an opportunity to strengthen the educational system. It will ensure that children come to school and that they stay in school. We will be involved in this conversation,” she said.
Also speaking, the representative of the World Bank, Dr. Tunde Adekola said the bank is very interested in supporting the school feeding programmes.
He noted that the Bank was already running other programmes to help Nigeria in the education sector, emphasizing on the need to focus to ensure that the school feeding improves access and ensures that there is a feed very well and a balanced diet.
“We are willing to support the government of Nigeria to achieve this objective. As far as the World Bank is concerned, we are running other programmes that will help Nigeria in the education sector.
“The World Bank is ready to support the government to leverage and focus on the result of what school feeding should be able to achieve. We need to focus to ensure that this school feeding improves access and has a balanced nutrition for our children and ensures that they feed very well and get a balanced diet,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General, National Commission for UNESCO, Nigeria, Dr. Lateef Olagunju said they were solidly behind the initiative.
He, therefore, called for the involvement of state, federal and local government actors in putting together the steering committee and ensuring recruitment of cooks to include mothers of the children. “We should also know who are the critical stakeholders and bring them on board and involve the local farmers because they are the people who will produce and move it forward,” he said.
