Oluremi Tinubu Seeks Support for Climate Friendly School Food

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on international development partners to support the country’s efforts to implement climate-friendly school food programs. Speaking at a roundtable event hosted by the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation, Tinubu emphasized the critical role of school feeding initiatives in boosting enrollment and improving student nutrition.

The roundtable, held during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighted how school meals can address both educational and nutritional challenges.

Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s school feeding program is currently under review to align with the government’s broader goals of food security and climate resilience. She pointed out that President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency on food security, and initiatives like the “Young Farmers Club Nigeria” and the “Every Home a Garden Competition,” championed by her office, demonstrate the administration’s commitment to providing nutritious meals for children and vulnerable communities.

However, the First Lady acknowledged the significant challenges Nigeria faces, particularly with its growing population and climate-related issues such as desertification and flooding. She emphasized the need for external assistance to ensure the sustainable implementation of climate-friendly school meal programs, especially in northern regions affected by desertification and recent floods. “Nigeria is ready to tackle these challenges, but we welcome help, particularly for children in vulnerable regions,” she said.

The event also aimed to elevate school meals as a key agenda item in the African Union’s engagement with the G20.

Tinubu’s appeal underscores Nigeria’s broader strategy to address food security and educational gaps through climate-resilient solutions.Olu