IN a move to tackle the growing number of out-of-school children in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has launched the state’s Homegrown School Feeding Programme, aimed at boosting school enrollment, retention, and completion.
The official flag-off took place at Dan-Turai Primary School in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where the governor also joined pupils in sharing a symbolic meal.
His gesture reinforced the state’s commitment to nurturing a generation of well-fed, well-educated children.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal noted that the flag-off signifies his administration’s strong commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to implement various strategies to increase school enrollment in Zamfara State.
He said, “Our commitment to reform includes initiatives to combat sector decay and foster partnerships, such as with the World Bank through the AGILE programme and with UNICEF.
Recently, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, in collaboration with UNICEF, formed a Technical Committee of agency heads and stakeholders to visit 14 Local Governments, identify out-of-school children, and facilitate their reintegration into schools.
“The school feeding program, which we are flagging off today, is part of the emergency response initiatives to promote enrollment and retention of pupils in schools while fighting hunger and malnutrition.
“This is in addition to our engagement efforts with two other NGOs, the International Center for Economic Development and FINPACT Development Foundation, which have agreed to support the state in implementing a pilot program to serve as a learning ground for program implementers and the State government.
“In more specific terms, FINPACT Development Foundation will sponsor the feeding of 1000 pupils in Gusau, Maru, Anka, and Talatar Mafara, while the International Center for Economic Development is sponsoring the feeding of 3300 across Gusau, Talatar Mafara, and Shinkafi.
“I charge all relevant stakeholders and other donor agencies to explore more ways of providing more activities and programmes. This will not only enhance our commitment to the provision of quality and inclusive education, but it will reduce to the barest minimum the menace of out-of-school children, so that together we can make our State a shining example.”
Speaking at the flag-off, the Commissioners for Education and Humanitarian Affairs, Wadatau Madawaki and Salisu Musa, described the initiative as a game-changer in the fight against child hunger, illiteracy, and early school dropouts.
They also acknowledged the contributions of implementing partners, the International Centre for Economic Development (ICED) and Finpact Development (FINDEF), for extending support to selected schools under the pilot phase.
Zamfara State has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in Nigeria, a challenge that continues to hamper the state’s educational development and social stability.
Many children, especially in rural areas, are unable to access or complete basic education due to poverty, insecurity, and lack of learning incentives.
To address this crisis, the Zamfara State Government’s pilot school feeding programme targets over 4,000 pupils across five local government areas of Gusau, Talata Mafara, Anka, Maru, and Shinkafi.