The Federal Government has set aside the sum of One Hundred Billion Naira (N100b) to fund its ‘School Feeding Scheme’ for year 2024.
President Bola Tinubu disclosed this today, during the signing of the 2024 appropriation bill into law in the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu stated that the provision will serve as a stimulant to encourage attendance in schools and reduce the problem of out-of-school children.
“One of the priority areas of the bill we just passed is the N100 billion provision for the feeding of school children. I believe that is a stimulant that will encourage school enrolment and also address malnutrition among school children,” Tinubu said.
On the disbursement of the funds and execution of the scheme, Tinubu revealed that Chairmen in the 774 Local Government Areas of the country will be the drivers of the scheme.
“I will be meeting with local government at sub-national levels so that we can collaborate and jointly implement an all-inclusive programme,” the President said.
Earlier in December, Tinubu ordered the reintroduction of the school feeding programme and mandated its transfer from the Humanitarian Ministry to the Education Ministry.
The programme, previously halted under former President Muhammadu Buhari, will now fall under the Education Ministry’s purview, aiming to not only provide nutritious meals to pupils but also encourage attendance and enhance learning.