FG, Lagos Partner Conference 57 to Improve Education Through School Nutrition

FG, Lagos Partner Conference 57 to Improve Education Through School Nutrition

By Naomi Onome

The Federal Government, in partnership with the Lagos State Government and Conference 57, has unveiled a groundbreaking education-support initiative, “Adopt-a-School – Snacks for Thought (PBAT FEEDS),” aimed at improving learning outcomes by ensuring that pupils begin each school day with nutritious meals.

Launched under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, the initiative is designed to address child hunger, which experts have identified as one of the major barriers to effective learning and academic success.

The programme will provide nutritious morning snacks and beverages to schoolchildren before the commencement of classes, enabling them to concentrate better, actively participate in classroom activities and improve their overall academic performance.

The initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen the education sector through strategic investments in human capital development and social intervention programmes.

Speaking on the programme, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, described the initiative as a holistic national development strategy that integrates education, nutrition, agriculture and economic empowerment.

According to her, beyond improving pupils’ concentration, cognitive development and school attendance, the programme will also strengthen local agricultural value chains by creating opportunities for farmers, food processors, transporters, women entrepreneurs and small businesses involved in food production and distribution.

She explained that the initiative demonstrates the government’s resolve to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied quality education because of hunger.

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Lagos State was selected as the flagship state for the implementation of the programme, reflecting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to education, youth development and human capital growth.

The state is expected to provide daily nutritional support to thousands of pupils across selected public schools, setting a model for other states to replicate.

A key feature of the initiative is the introduction of the Adopt-a-School model, which encourages corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists, alumni associations, faith-based organisations and community groups to support school nutrition programmes.

Stakeholders believe the collaborative approach will expand the programme’s reach while ensuring transparency, sustainability and greater community participation.

Education stakeholders have described the initiative as one of the most impactful education-support interventions introduced in recent years because it addresses one of the root causes of poor academic performance among vulnerable children.

By ensuring that pupils receive nutritious meals before lessons begin, the programme creates the right conditions for effective teaching and learning while helping children develop the cognitive skills required for academic excellence and lifelong success.

Beyond improving educational outcomes, the initiative is expected to stimulate local economies through increased demand for agricultural produce and food processing services, thereby creating jobs and supporting inclusive economic growth.

Observers say the programme reinforces the understanding that quality education cannot be separated from the health and wellbeing of learners, noting that a healthy and well-nourished child is better positioned to succeed academically and contribute meaningfully to national development.

With the launch of the “Snacks for Thought” initiative, the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and Conference 57 have taken a significant step towards building a healthier, better-educated generation of Nigerians while strengthening the nation’s long-term human capital development agenda.