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ActionAid calls for extension of school feeding programmes to all primary school pupils

Published

6 years ago

April 24, 2019

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) has called on the Federal Government to extend the Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) to all pupils of primary schools across the country.

Mrs Ene Obi, Country Director of the organisation said this at the Launch and Dissemination of the Third Party Monitoring Report of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP).

AAN in partnership with the National Social Investment Office (NSIO) with support from DFID- Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn(PERL) and the Ford Foundation worked on the Third-party Monitoring on the implementation of the NSIP.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSIP of the Federal Government falls within three groups: Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Government Economic Enterprise Programme and N-Power.

Obi said the extension should include pre-primary classes and classes 4 to 6.

She added that the Federal Government should also introduce additional incentives into the programme such as notebooks, school bags and stationery in addition to providing meals for school children.

According to the country director, the National Social Investment Office (NSIO) of the government should liaise with relevant ministries for the construction of additional classrooms.

She said since the home grown school feeding programmes had increased enrolment, there was need to provide more infrastructural development that comes with the constraints of the enrolment.

” The social investment Programme of the government has so far created a ripple effect towards the educational, agricultural and the health sectors of Nigeria.

“There was reported increase in the learning reception by school children as well as enrolment in schools because the home grown school feeding programme gives the students access to have one meal a day.

“Parents of these children also form part of the secondary beneficiaries under the programme as well as livelihood that has been created for cooks and food vendors.

She added that such benefits was also created for -Power Programme where unemployed Nigerians were engaged in different government institutions to receive stipends for their services.

She explained that this had further reduced the rate of unemployment within the period of N-Power implementation.
Obi also lauded the efforts of the government for the introduction and implementation of the social investment Programme in a bid to lift the vulnerable poor out of poverty the evading inequality in the society.

She said despite the positive outcomes the NSIP had provided, gaps had been identified which must be addressed urgently.

Obi noted that lack of community monitoring during implementation, grossly poor records tracking and management and lack of coordination among others were the challenges of the Programme.

She also noted that the issue of fund released was another major challenge hindering the growth of the Programme.

According to her, so far N 463 billion had been released out of the N 1.3 trillion expected to be spend for the Programme.

” In 2006, out of the N500 billion appropriated only N80 billion was released which is about 16 03 per cent. In 2017, of the N400billion appropriated, only N155 billion was released which is about 38.75 per cent.

“Also in 2018, N400 billion was appropriated for NSIP but about N228 billion was released which is 57.04 per cent.”

She, however, called on Nigerians to get involved not only as beneficiaries but also report any wrong doing against the programme for a maximum impact.

Obi, therefore, called for the institutionalisation of some of the National Investment Programmes that have been proven most impactful to ensure their continuity without being affected by change in government.

Meanwhile, Mrs Maryam Uwais, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment Programme, said the Federal Government is doing a lot of impact evaluation to know the narrative to engage the people.

Uwais said that currently, over 12 million Nigerians have benefited directly from the programmes with the empowerment of 500,000 graduates and 26, 000 indirect beneficiaries as well as a lot of households benefiting from the programme.

She said the release of the monies which is dependent on the income generated by the government on monthly basis sometimes get delayed and not sufficient for the numbers captured to benefit from the programmes.

She therefore said there was need for community engagement to make the process a wholesome empowerment project.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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