L-R: Chairman, Ibeju Lekki Local Government, Engr. Sesan Olowa; SSG representing the Governor of Lagos State, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; National Coordinator, National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), Associate Prof. Badamasi Lawal Charanchi; National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Dr Aderemi Adebowale; Commissioner for Agriculture and Food System, Ms Abisola Olusanya and her counterpart for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun during the flag-off of the Adopt-A-School PBAT Feeds Programme ‘Snacks for Thought’, at the Lagos Island East LCDA Zappa Building in Lagos on June 30, 2026.
By Peace Udugba
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos, on Tuesday launched the Adopt-a-School: Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative to provide nutritious breakfast meals for primary school pupils across the state.
The programme, introduced under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, was officially flagged off at the Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat on Lagos Island.
The initiative is designed to improve school attendance, participation, concentration and academic performance by ensuring that pupils begin their school day with nutritious meals.
The launch took place simultaneously across centres in the state’s three senatorial districts, covering the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 LCDAs.
Structured as a public-private partnership, the programme encourages corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists and other stakeholders to support child nutrition and education through school adoption.
As part of the launch, pupils received breakfast packs, school bags, tablets, snack boxes, water bottles, flasks, notebooks and other educational materials.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the initiative as an investment in the nation’s future, stressing that well-nourished children are essential to building a stronger society.
He said the state government remains committed to partnerships that improve children’s welfare, adding that nation-building requires the collective efforts of both the public and private sectors.
According to him, addressing hunger is a critical step towards reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development.
“Lagos State will continue to partner with the Federal Government, private organisations, NGOs and every well-meaning individual willing to support our children. Nation-building is not the responsibility of government alone. We are doing our best, but we welcome every genuine partnership that will improve the lives of our children.
“This programme is not just about providing food. The children are also receiving school bags, tablets, snack boxes, water bottles, flasks, notebooks and other learning materials. Our doors remain open to organisations and individuals who want to contribute to child development under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda,” he said.
The National Programme Manager of the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, said Lagos was chosen for the official launch because of its leadership role, despite successful pre-launch activities held in Kano and Abuja.
She explained that the initiative would provide nutritious breakfast snacks and beverages before the commencement of classes to combat classroom hunger, improve concentration and enhance learning outcomes.
“Lagos leads and others follow. We conducted successful pre-launches in Kano and Abuja, but we chose Lagos for the official launch because of its leadership role.
“Children do not know political parties; they only know food. Our objective is to ensure that no child starts learning on an empty stomach,” she said.
Adebowale added that the programme would be managed through a digital dashboard, allowing individuals, Nigerians in the diaspora, corporate organisations, faith-based organisations and philanthropists to adopt schools and sponsor breakfast meals as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
She noted that the initiative complements, rather than replaces, the Federal Government’s existing National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
“The Federal Government will continue with the regular school feeding programme, while this initiative mobilises the private sector and communities to provide breakfast before classes begin.
“We will never give children food that we cannot eat. The goal is to ensure children come to school early, stay in school, perform better academically and ultimately become future leaders,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA, Hon. Muibi Folawiyo, welcomed the choice of the council as the launch venue, describing the initiative as one that would promote punctuality, improve school attendance and create a more conducive learning environment for pupils.
He urged banks, insurance companies, religious organisations and other corporate bodies to support schools in their communities by adopting them under the initiative.
“Government cannot do it alone. This is an opportunity for the private sector and other stakeholders to invest in the future of our children. The investment we make today will determine the Nigeria we build tomorrow,” he said.
Some of the beneficiary pupils expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and the local councils for introducing the Adopt-a-School: Snacks for Thought – PBAT FEEDS initiative, describing it as a welcome intervention that would support their learning and well-being.
