NIGERIA’S FIRST LADY SEEKS SUPPORT FOR SUSTAINABLE ROLLOUT OF CLIMATE-FRIENDLY SCHOOL MEALS

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on development partners to support the country’s efforts in implementing climate-friendly school meal programs.

She made this appeal during a roundtable lunch organized by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation, on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Recognizing the potential of school feeding programs to boost school enrollment and improve student nutrition, the First Lady revealed that the program is currently under review in Nigeria.

While President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment by declaring a state of emergency on food security, Senator Oluremi Tinubu highlighted initiatives such as the *Young Farmers Club Nigeria* and the *Every Home a Garden* competition, both promoted by her office, as clear indicators of the government’s priority to provide nutritious meals to children and citizens.

To ensure a sustainable rollout of the program, she emphasized that Nigeria, with its growing population and climate-related challenges, requires substantial support.

“Nigeria is open to assistance in this area. It is something we truly want to achieve, not only to increase school enrollment but also to reach children, especially those in the North, who are facing challenges like desertification and, more recently, flooding, as seen in Borno State. It’s a multi-faceted problem, but we are not deterred. We need all the help we can get, and I assure you that our administration is committed to working for our people and getting Nigeria back on its feet,” she said.

The roundtable, attended by other members of OAFLAD, aimed to position the school meals agenda as a key part of the African Union’s G20 engagement.