The future of the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) hangs in limbo, leaving over nine million Nigerian schoolchildren and more than 250,000 livelihoods in jeopardy. The once-promising initiative, designed to enhance school enrollment, combat child hunger, and stimulate local economies, has remained inactive for 18 months—despite consistent budgetary allocations and renewed government assurances.
With the conclusion of the first half of 2025 and no clear timeline for relaunch, fears are mounting over the fate of the programme, its beneficiaries, and its broader impact on Nigeria’s educational and social landscape.
Fallout of a Stalled Programme
Originally suspended in January 2024 due to allegations of financial impropriety within the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), the NHGSFP has since been under review. The scandal that engulfed the agency led to the suspension of both NSIPA’s CEO, Halima Shehu, and later, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu.
Despite these developments, a panel was established to assess the programme's operations, and a N160 billion allocation was earmarked for its implementation in the 2025 national budget. However, with no visible progress or official relaunch, stakeholders are increasingly worried.
Budget Allocations vs. Economic Reality
While the 2025 budget outlines N100 billion under the Service Wide Vote and an additional N60 billion through the Ministry of Education, economists and analysts argue that runaway inflation could render these figures grossly inadequate.
The rising costs of food and transportation continue to outpace government spending plans. For context:
- An egg, once a staple in the school meals, has risen from ₦50 in 2020 to ₦250 in 2025.
- A 50kg bag of rice, formerly ₦26,000, now averages ₦85,000 to ₦100,000.
- The cost of beans has ballooned from ₦28,000 to ₦75,000 per bag.
With the daily meal cost per pupil raised from ₦70 to ₦100, many experts question how a single nutritious meal can still be realistically provided under such conditions.
The situation is further exacerbated by the programme’s original funding shortfall. Experts estimate that feeding 10 million children would require ₦540 billion annually—a figure that dwarfs the current allocation.
The Wider Impact on Livelihoods and Education
The NHGSFP is not just a social safety net for children. It sustains a complex economic ecosystem that includes:
- 34,869 direct jobs for cooks and food service workers,
- 80,000 smallholder farmers,
- 127,000 food vendors, and
- 100 aggregators operating across 30 states.
The programme’s stagnation has thrown these livelihoods into turmoil. Without clarity on when it will resume, many rural families and businesses that relied on this income are at risk of slipping into deeper poverty.
Additionally, concerns are growing that this delay could worsen Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, with UNICEF estimating 20 million children currently out of school. Many families depend on the incentive of a free school meal to send their children to class.
Stakeholders Call for Urgent Action
Public affairs analyst Akinsola Olotu warned that without swift action, the programme risks becoming a failed intervention. He emphasised that the feeding scheme is crucial not only for child nutrition but for economic development and education access, particularly in rural areas.
“The school feeding programme is a catalyst for social change. Its absence could reverse gains made in school enrollment and local economic stimulation,” he said.
Echoing this, Michael Adaramoye of the Education Rights Campaign criticised the delay, calling it “surprising” given the funds allocated. He urged the federal government to involve key stakeholders—including teachers' unions and parent associations—in decision-making to prevent corruption and ensure effective oversight.
Educator Kenneth Obiorah highlighted the ripple effects of the delay on rural development. He warned of rising school dropout rates, declining student concentration due to hunger, and potential brain drain in underserved areas. He called on all stakeholders, including community leaders and policymakers, to devise innovative funding strategies and safeguard the programme’s future.
A Legacy of Corruption and Distrust
While the programme once promised hope, it has been repeatedly marred by financial mismanagement and corruption. During the Buhari administration, it faced widespread complaints over poor food quality, underpayment of vendors, and inconsistent supply. Investigations later revealed that ₦2.67 billion allocated for school feeding during COVID-19 ended up in private bank accounts, further undermining public trust.
The legacy of these scandals continues to haunt the programme, with transparency and accountability now top priorities for any potential relaunch.
Government’s Position: Silence and Uncertainty
Despite repeated inquiries, the Federal Ministry of Education has remained tight-lipped on when or how the NHGSFP will recommence. According to Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations, efforts to provide a formal response or comment from ministry officials have so far been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, hopes are pinned on earlier assurances from Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who in August 2024 reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the programme, stating it could play a pivotal role in reducing out-of-school numbers and improving child wellbeing.
Conclusion: A Crucial Tipping Point
The NHGSFP is more than a feeding scheme. It is a socio-economic bridge linking education, health, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. As time ticks by with no concrete rollout plan, Nigeria risks not only wasting billions in budgeted funds but also sacrificing the futures of millions of children and the fragile economies tied to their school meals.
For the programme to deliver on its promises, the federal government must act swiftly and transparently, addressing inflationary pressures, rebuilding public trust, and ensuring that this vital lifeline is restored—not just on paper, but in practice.