Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative in the 2024 budget, earmarking a substantial N100 billion for school feeding programs.
The announcement, made during the official signing of the appropriation bill in Abuja, signaled Tinubu’s commitment to education and addressing malnutrition. He stated, “One of the priority areas…is the N100 billion provision for the feeding of school children, a stimulant to encourage school enrollment and combat malnutrition.”
To ensure effective execution, Tinubu plans to collaborate with local governments, emphasizing a comprehensive approach. He asserted, “I will be meeting with local government at sub-national levels so that we can collaborate and jointly implement an all-inclusive program.” This cooperative effort is pivotal to the success of the ambitious school feeding initiative.
Truth Live News gathered that President Tinubu’s commitment to education is evident in his earlier directive, in December, to reinstate the school feeding program. This move shifted oversight from the Humanitarian Ministry to the Education Ministry, aligning with the overarching goal of fostering a conducive learning environment. The realignment also aims to boost regular attendance, signaling a proactive approach to tackling the challenges faced by the education sector.
The budget, aptly titled “Renewed Hope,” reflects Tinubu’s strategic focus on reducing recurrent expenditure while increasing capital expenditure. This shift aims to optimize resources and amplify the impact of government spending, demonstrating a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to fiscal management.
President Tinubu’s allocation of N100 billion for school feeding programs in the 2024 budget brings back the nostalgia of the horrors of the school feeding in the last administration. With reports of billions claimed to be spent on school feeding during the Covid lockdown. Netizens hope there would be more accountability and transparency this time around