President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reducing child malnutrition and improving school enrolment through the Renewed Hope Mo’Feed Project, a school feeding and empowerment initiative designed to reach over 600,000 vulnerable Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones.
Speaking at the official launch of the project, fundraising gala and humanitarian award night in Lagos, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, who represented the President, said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda by tackling food insecurity, poverty, and gaps in education.
According to her, eight out of every ten children in rural areas face one form of malnutrition, a crisis the government is determined to address. She noted that the school feeding initiative is not only about providing meals but also about bringing children back to classrooms and promoting social development.
“You would be amazed how many children return to school just to eat that one meal. In some rural areas, that is what sustains them throughout the day,” Adeniji said.
She added that the Mo’Feed Project is designed to extend benefits beyond schoolchildren. “This programme goes beyond children alone. It empowers women, engages local farmers, and creates a ripple effect across communities. When farmers sell their produce and households are supported, agriculture grows, crime reduces, and the nation prospers.”
Adeniji stressed that government cannot sustain the programme alone, calling for partnerships with state governments, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and individuals to ensure accountability and expand the project’s reach.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the Mo’Feed Project as a timely initiative that complements Lagos’ agricultural and food security roadmap.
“Food is more than what fills our stomachs. It represents dignity, health, and hope,” Sanwo-Olu said. “With this project, we are ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry and that families are lifted from despair. But no government can do it alone; citizens, businesses, and institutions must also play their part.”
Founder of Bella Amor Global Aid Foundation (BAAF) and convener of the humanitarian award night, Ms. Mirabel Etuk, said the project represents a vision-driven partnership with the Presidency aimed at transforming underserved communities.
“When we feed a child, we don’t just fill a stomach; we open the door to learning and opportunity. When we empower families, we restore dignity and unlock self-reliance,” she stated.
Etuk explained that BAAF, which has been providing meals to vulnerable households, is now expanding operations nationwide through its collaboration with the federal government.
The highlight of the Lagos event was the presentation of humanitarian awards to notable figures who have made outstanding contributions to society. Awardees included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, Dr. Chika Nwokedi of Ndi Igbo Buru Otu Association, and Akinwale Abidakun, CEO of Bluemath Realty Group.
Abidakun, one of the honorees, commended the foundation for combining feeding with skill acquisition. He emphasised that initiatives like Mo’Feed should receive wide support across the country.
Stakeholders at the event agreed that the Renewed Hope Mo’Feed Project is not simply a feeding programme but a comprehensive platform to reduce hunger, encourage education, empower women and farmers, and strengthen communities through compassion in action.