Lagos State has unveiled a new school nutrition initiative that will provide daily snacks to about 30,000 pupils in public primary schools, as the government steps up efforts to tackle classroom hunger and improve learning.
The programme, known as “Adopt A School for Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS!”, is being implemented in partnership with the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme and will begin with a pilot phase between June 30 and July 2.
Unlike conventional school feeding programmes funded solely by government, the initiative introduces an adoption model that allows companies, philanthropists, alumni associations, faith-based organisations and other private individuals to sponsor meals for pupils in selected schools.
To support the programme, the organisers also launched an online monitoring platform that enables donors to identify schools, monitor beneficiaries and track the implementation of their sponsorships.
Speaking at the launch in Ikeja, the National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Aderemi Adebowale, said the intervention was driven by growing concerns over the impact of hunger on children’s ability to learn.
According to her, many pupils arrive in school ready to learn but struggle to concentrate because they lack adequate nutrition.
She noted that studies have consistently linked poor nutrition to reduced concentration, weak memory retention, irregular attendance and poor academic performance, stressing that addressing hunger is an important part of improving educational outcomes.
“Our goal is to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity to learn because of hunger,” she said, describing school nutrition as an investment in the country’s future workforce rather than a welfare programme.
Adebowale explained that the newly introduced digital dashboard would improve transparency by allowing sponsors to monitor schools receiving support, verify meal distribution and measure the impact of their contributions in real time.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, said the initiative would also benefit local farmers by creating a ready market for agricultural produce used in preparing meals and snacks.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, described the programme as another strategy for improving learning outcomes, noting that pupils are more likely to perform well academically when their nutritional needs are met.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, urged the private sector and development partners to support the initiative, saying government alone cannot meet the nutritional needs of every child.
The state government said the programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen basic education through improved child nutrition, increased school attendance and stronger collaboration between government and the private sector.
