Zamfara begins school feeding to fight hunger, boost enrolment

In a major effort to tackle child hunger, improve school attendance, and reduce the number of out-of-school children, Governor Dauda Lawal has officially launched the Zamfara State Pilot School Feeding Programme.

The initiative, flagged off at Dan-Turai Primary School in Gusau, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects a commitment to inclusive, people-focused development.

Governor Lawal described the programme as a critical investment in the state’s future. “This program is not only about feeding children—it’s about restoring dignity, improving access to education, and fighting poverty,” he said. He praised the leadership of Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding (OSSAP-SF), for her dedication in coordinating national strategies that uplift Nigeria’s most vulnerable children.

The pilot scheme is supported by key development partners including the World Bank’s AGILE project, UNICEF, the International Center for Economic Development (ICED), and FINPACT Development Foundation.

Through collaborative efforts, the programme has identified out-of-school children across all 14 local government areas of Zamfara and initiated targeted, sustainable interventions to address their needs.

The launch represents a significant milestone in Zamfara’s educational transformation, providing daily meals to pupils while encouraging enrollment and retention.

“This is what impact looks like,” a representative from the OSSAP-SF office stated. “This is Renewed Hope in action.”