Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled the National Community Food Bank Programme in the North-East, aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable groups.

She launched the initiative on Monday during a visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where she described the programme as a key intervention for children, mothers and other at-risk populations.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Tinubu said the food bank initiative is designed to support efforts to reduce hunger across the country through community-based distribution systems.

She said the programme would prioritise malnourished children under the age of six, pregnant and lactating women, orphans, and vulnerable households facing severe food insecurity.

According to her, the intervention marks an important step in strengthening social support systems and improving nutrition outcomes in the North-East region.

The First Lady also noted that the programme is structured to work through local government areas in partnership with primary healthcare centres.

She added that the initiative will utilise a voucher-based system to provide access to nutritious, locally sourced food items for beneficiaries.

The National Community Food Bank Programme was earlier launched in Abuja with commitments from government agencies, private sector organisations, and foundations totalling over N66bn.

Major contributors include the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and other private donors who pledged support for its implementation.

The programme is expected to be implemented nationwide and linked with existing healthcare and social welfare systems to improve nutrition and food access for vulnerable Nigerians.