20 Million Kids. One Big Promise. Nigeria’s School Feeding Dream Gets Real by 2026
By: Oluwaseun Lawal
Nigerian government promised to reach Twenty million children with hot meals in schools by 2026. Sounds ambitious, right? Maybe even a little wild. But that’s the plan. This is beyond just food. It’s speaks hope, security, and honest—survival for a lot of kids who might otherwise slip through the cracks. It’s a Friday in Abuja. The city’s buzzing, as usual. Inside a conference hall, government officials, aid workers, and a bunch of serious-looking people are gathered.
The topic? The Homegrown School Feeding Programme. Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name is on the agenda, but he’s not there in person. Instead, his adviser, Dr. Kolade Fasua, steps up to the mic. He’s got a message. And it’s not just the usual government talk. He says the school feeding programme isn’t just about filling stomachs. The Programme is also targeted at keeping kids in school, improving farmers market, and enhancing women entrepreneurship. It’s about building evergreen system. Something that matters. “This is yet the boldest move we’ve made,” he says, looking at Renewed Hope Agenda by President Tinubu. you can already tell what it means. But let’s not sugarcoat it.
Feeding 20 million kids? That’s a mountain to climb. The government relaunched the programme earlier this year, aiming to get more kids into classrooms and keep them there. The plan is to make sure every meal served does double duty—helping a child learn and helping a local farmer earn. It’s a win-win, if it works. There’s more. The government’s not just thinking about kids already in school. There’s a new project, too—the Alternate Education and Renewed Hope School Feeding Project. This one’s for the kids who aren’t in school at all. The ones who are most at risk.
The goal? Bring them in. Feed them. Give them a reason to stay. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. They’re bringing in the National Identity Management Commission. Why? To make sure the right kids get the right meals. No ghost pupils. No funny business. Every naira spent is supposed to help a real child and boost the local economy. Sounds good on paper. But, you know, Nigeria. There’s always a twist. Money. That’s the next big hurdle. One trillion naira. That’s what it might cost to keep this thing running nationwide. A trillion. It’s a number that makes your head spin. But the Vice President’s team says it’s not just spending. It’s investing. In kids. In farmers. In peace.
“Every hot meal is a barrier against violence,” they say. “A child with knowledge is less likely to be exploited.” It’s a powerful idea. Maybe even true. And it’s not just about the kids. When farmers have a guaranteed market, they worry less. When women get paid on time, they build businesses. When communities see the government showing up, even just with a plate of food, it means something. It says, “We haven’t forgotten you.” In places where conflict is always lurking, that matters. But, of course, there’s always more to do.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Sununu, says it’s time for a law. Something that makes the school feeding programme permanent, no matter who’s in power. He wants clear rules, shared costs, and a nutrition guideline that actually keeps kids healthy. Not just fed, but well-fed.
So, what’s next? The government’s calling on everyone—NGOs, private investors, state governors—to get on board. They say the real success won’t just be full bellies. It’ll be safer schools, stronger communities, and a future where kids have a shot at something better. Big dreams. Big risks. But maybe, just maybe, this time it’ll work. Twenty million kids are waiting. And so is the rest of the country.
