President Bola Tinubu has revealed that the recently approved 2024 budget includes a N100 billion provision for school food programmes for students nationwide in an effort to encourage attendance in schools and lessen the problem of out-of-school children.
He made this revelation at the State House in Abuja when the 2024 appropriations bill was signed into law.
“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.
“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.
Recall that the school feeding scheme was reinstated by Tinubu earlier in December, and he also ordered its transfer from the Humanitarian Ministry to the Education Ministry.
The scheme, which was stopped under former President Muhammadu Buhari, will now be overseen by the Education Ministry and will serve the dual purposes of enhancing learning and providing students with wholesome meals.