First Lady Flags Off North-West Food Bank, Unveils Grants for Small Businesses

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has launched the North-West phase of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Jigawa State, alongside a N100 million grant scheme targeting 2,000 women traders. The initiative is aimed at cushioning the impact of rising food prices and supporting vulnerable households across the region.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the First Lady said the intervention forms part of a broader national strategy to strengthen food security while empowering grassroots entrepreneurs. Each beneficiary is expected to receive financial support to stabilise or expand small-scale businesses, particularly in food-related trade.

Tinubu emphasised the need for collaboration between federal, state, and local stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the programme. She noted that beyond immediate relief, the initiative seeks to build resilience among low-income families facing economic hardship.

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The Food Bank Programme will provide essential food items through structured community distribution channels, prioritising widows, internally displaced persons, and low-income households. Officials say monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to ensure transparency and accountability.

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful amid current economic pressures. He pledged the state government’s support in ensuring effective implementation and equitable distribution.

Development experts have welcomed the move but stress the importance of continuity and scale to address Nigeria’s broader food insecurity challenges. With inflation still affecting basic commodities, many see the programme as a critical short-term relief measure.

The First Lady reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to social protection policies, urging beneficiaries to use the grants responsibly to improve their livelihoods and contribute to local economic growth.