Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on international development partners to support the nation’s initiative to implement climate-friendly school meal programs. Speaking at a roundtable luncheon organized by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and the Rockefeller Foundation during the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Senator Tinubu emphasized the critical role school feeding programs play in increasing enrollment and improving nutrition among Nigerian students.

She highlighted that the school feeding initiative is currently undergoing review, and with Nigeria’s growing population and environmental challenges, ensuring the sustainability of the program is essential. Senator Tinubu underscored the urgency for assistance to enable the provision of nutritious meals to children across the country, particularly those from the northern regions, which face severe environmental issues like desertification and flooding.

The First Lady reiterated the government’s commitment to food security, referencing President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in this regard. She also pointed to programs like the launch of the Young Farmers Club Nigeria and the Every Home a Garden Competition as evidence of her administration’s focus on agricultural innovation and sustainable nutrition.

In her remarks, she stressed, “Nigeria is open to assistance in that area. It is something that I believe we really want to do so that we can have school enrollment up and then get most of the children, especially children from the North that are going through desertification and recently, flooding as witnessed in Borno State.”

The roundtable, which brought together other members of OAFLAD, had a broader goal of advancing the agenda for school meals at global platforms like the G20, ensuring the initiative gains prominence and necessary backing.