Dr. Fauziya Buhari-Ado, the Special Assistant to the Kaduna State Governor on the School Feeding Programme, says the initiative has not only helped reduce hunger among schoolchildren but also continues to empower thousands of women and support local farmers across the state.
Speaking after receiving the 2025 4th Humanitarian Bootcamp Award in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Fauziya called for stronger humanitarian leadership and partnerships to tackle hunger and drive sustainable economic growth across Africa.
In a statement she personally signed and released on Friday, she expressed gratitude to Governor Uba Sani for his trust and vision in championing the Kaduna State School Feeding Programme — a flagship initiative providing daily meals to pupils in public schools.
“Governor Uba Sani’s confidence in my capacity to serve has made it possible to impact the lives of thousands of children across Kaduna State,” she said. “Under his leadership, the School Feeding Programme has become a model for inclusive growth — improving nutrition, boosting school attendance, empowering women, and supporting local farmers.”
Dr. Buhari-Ado described the initiative as more than just a feeding programme, saying each meal “represents hope, care, and opportunity for the next generation.”
“Every plate of food we serve is not just nourishment; it’s a bridge to learning, a shield against poverty, and a promise that these children matter,” she said. “Feeding our children is not charity — it’s nation-building.”
She emphasized that food security should be treated as a key pillar of Africa’s economic and social development, noting that eliminating hunger is essential to achieving stability, productivity, and peace across the continent.
During her address, Dr. Buhari-Ado also celebrated women leaders who have contributed to humanitarian and leadership development across Africa. She particularly praised Dr. Martina Nentawe Yilwatda, Patron of the Women’s Leadership Network, for her mentorship, and Mrs. Deborah Hornecker, the Network’s founder, for her resilience and commitment to women’s empowerment.
“The Women’s Leadership Network is a strong platform for collaboration and transformation,” she said. “It brings together professional women from different fields to promote inclusion, leadership, and social impact in communities.”
In her closing remarks, Dr. Buhari-Ado urged African governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to join hands in the fight against hunger.
“The day no African child or adult goes to bed hungry, we will know that we have truly fed the future — not through power, but through humanity, compassion, and love,” she concluded.
According to data from the Kaduna State Government, the school feeding programme is funded with over ₦4 billion annually, reaching more than 730,000 pupils in 3,400 schools, with over 7,000 women employed as cooks. The initiative aims to boost school enrollment, improve nutrition, and support local food producers.
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At the national level, President Bola Tinubu also restated his administration’s commitment to tackling child malnutrition and increasing school enrollment through the Renewed Hope Mo’Feed Project.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on School Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, who represented him during the project’s launch in Lagos on October 3, 2025, said the initiative would reach over 600,000 vulnerable Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones.
She noted that the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on food security, poverty reduction, and education access for every Nigerian child.
