Aderonke Ojediran
The Federal Government has launched “Snacks for Thought” (PBAT FEEDS), a strategic breakfast initiative under the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP).
It is aimed at improving learning outcomes through enhanced child nutrition and addressing hunger as a major barrier to effective learning.
The initiative, unveiled at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in Abuja, is designed to provide nutritious morning meals to school children before the start of academic activities.
The National Programme Manager of RH-NHGSFP, Dr Aderemi Adebowale, said the initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s human capital development through a deliberate blend of nutrition, education and productivity.
According to her, the programme is built on the understanding that children cannot attain their full academic potential when they come to school hungry.
“The more developed your knowledge base is, the smarter you are, but you cannot be smarter than your knowledge base,” Adebowale said.
She explained that “Snacks for Thought” was not merely a feeding programme, but a national development strategy designed to improve concentration, cognitive performance, school attendance and retention among pupils.
Adebowale said the initiative would also strengthen local agricultural value chains through structured procurement while creating opportunities for women, youth and smallholder farmers.
“The programme is expected to improve student concentration and cognitive performance, increase school attendance and retention, strengthen local agricultural value chains through structured procurement, and empower women, youth and smallholder farmers,” she said
She said the launch marked a significant national policy shift toward ensuring that no child is left to learn on an empty stomach.
“Today, Nigeria made a decision that no child should sit in a classroom hungry.
“A decision that learning must begin with nourishment, and a decision that the future of this nation will no longer be built on empty stomachs.
“With the launch of ‘Snacks for Thought’, Nigeria is investing not just in food, but in focus, knowledge and the future. Because a hungry child cannot learn, and a nation that ignores this cannot develop.
“This is more than a programme; it is a commitment,” Adebowale added.
Also launched at the event was the “Adopt-a-School” platform under the Snacks for Thought initiative, which is expected to provide an avenue for government institutions.
The private sector organisations and development partners can also directly support school feeding efforts and expand the programme’s reach nationwide.
The event had the attendance of ministers, members of the National Assembly, directors-general, managing directors, development partners and other stakeholders.
This reflected what organisers described as strong institutional alignment and a shared commitment to improving nutrition-driven education outcomes.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presence of school children holding their meal packs, symbolising what stakeholders said was a growing national resolve to prioritise child nutrition as a foundation for inclusive development.
The Federal Government said the breakfast initiative complements the existing school feeding programme by ensuring that children are nourished at the start of the school day, thereby maximising the impact of classroom instruction.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
