Nigeria targets 60% school-feeding coverage by 2035

The Nigerian Federal Government has announced a target to increase school-feeding coverage for primary school pupils from 33 per cent to 60 per cent by 2035. Education Minister Dr. Olatunji Alausa emphasized that school-based interventions, including nutrition education and improved health services, are essential components of the government’s Nutrition 774 Initiative. This initiative aims to implement national nutrition priorities across all 774 local government areas.

During a leadership exchange in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigerian officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, discussed adopting models to combat malnutrition and child stunting. State governors, such as Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Alex Otti of Abia State, highlighted the need for multisectoral collaboration involving health, agriculture, education, and water sanitation. The goal is to strengthen coordination between federal and subnational governments to ensure nutrition policies translate into measurable community improvements, particularly for children under five and pregnant women.