The Federal Government on Monday flagged off the distribution of food and nutrition support to 20,000 vulnerable households in Sokoto State as part of efforts to tackle hunger, malnutrition and poverty across northern Nigeria.
The intervention was launched in Sokoto by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and is being implemented in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government and development partners.
Speaking at the event, Sununu commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for his commitment to humanitarian causes, describing his decision to attend the ceremony despite family engagements abroad as “a clear demonstration of responsible and compassionate leadership.”
He said the programme prioritises women, children, the elderly and persons living with disabilities, stressing that it goes beyond food distribution to include nutrition support and sustainability measures.
“This intervention is about protecting dignity, improving nutrition and building resilience among the most vulnerable,” the minister said.
According to him, food items to be distributed include rice, beans, millet, groundnuts, palm oil, salt, seasoning and tomatoes.
He added that nutrition supplies and essential medicines would also be delivered to malnutrition treatment centres at Gwadabawa and Bodinga General Hospitals.
Sununu warned that more than 35 million Nigerians are currently at risk of extreme hunger, underscoring the urgency of community-based and resilient humanitarian responses.
“Beyond emergency relief, we are integrating skills acquisition, livelihood support and community-driven programmes to enable beneficiaries to become self-reliant,” he said.
The minister acknowledged the support of international partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP), while reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to localise and institutionalise humanitarian interventions.
In his remarks, Governor Ahmed Aliyu thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for selecting Sokoto as the flag-off point, describing the choice as a reflection of the administration’s people-centred approach.
“This initiative will significantly ease hardship, especially as the Ramadan fast approaches. It shows the Federal Government’s compassion and responsiveness to the needs of the vulnerable,” the governor said.
Aliyu highlighted ongoing state interventions, including food and cash support for victims of banditry, widows, orphans and internally displaced persons, as well as housing construction for displaced communities in partnership with the UNDP.
He assured that the distribution would be transparent and inclusive, urging officials involved to act with integrity and ensure the items reach the intended beneficiaries.
Representing the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the District Head of Wurno commended both the federal and state governments for adopting an inclusive approach to social protection.
“These programmes show genuine commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our society,” he said.
The Sokoto intervention forms part of a broader Federal Government strategy to address food insecurity, malnutrition and poverty across northern Nigeria, with the state serving as a key implementation hub nationwide efforts.
