The National Community Food Bank Programme has completed its nationwide rollout across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with the South-East phase formally launched in Anambra State.
The launch, held in Anambra, was led by the First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, alongside the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening food and nutrition security in the country.
The programme is aimed at bringing food and nutrition support closer to vulnerable Nigerians while establishing stronger community-based mechanisms for addressing food insecurity and improving access to essential food supplies.
The Bank of Agriculture, which serves as the Custodian and Trust Manager of the Food Bank Trust Fund, said it considers the responsibility a significant part of its contribution to the country’s food security efforts.
According to the Bank, its role involves supporting the systems and structures behind the initiative to ensure that food and nutrition interventions can reach the communities and households that need them most.
The institution noted that the Food Bank Programme also provides an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between farmers and consumers by creating stronger connections between those who produce food and communities that require food assistance.
It said strengthening these linkages is essential to building a more resilient food system, particularly as Nigeria continues to pursue measures that will improve food availability, accessibility and nutrition for its citizens.
The completion of the nationwide rollout across the six geopolitical zones marks an important milestone for the programme. However, the Bank stressed that the conclusion of the launch phase should not be regarded as the end of the initiative.
It emphasised that the real measure of the programme’s success would be determined by its impact beyond the launch ceremonies, particularly its ability to ensure that food and nutrition support reaches vulnerable Nigerians and makes a meaningful difference in their everyday lives.
The Bank of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the systems supporting the Food Bank Programme and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient food security framework across Nigeria.
The initiative is expected to continue focusing on connecting agricultural production with community needs while supporting broader efforts to address food insecurity and improve the welfare of vulnerable households.
