NGO Advocates PPP to Deepen School Feeding Programme

Oluchi Chibuzor 

In a bid to combat malnutrition and increase school enrolment in public primary schools, Feed the Future Today Foundation, has called for stronger public-private partnerships to expand the scope of school feeding programmes. 

The foundation, led by Adetola Okanlawon has been at the forefront of providing free meals to students in Lagos State for the past 15 years.

Speaking on day 35 of the feeding programme at the GRA Primary School, Ikeja recently, Okanlawon highlighted the foundation’s efforts to address malnutrition and encourage children to attend and stay in school. 

“This initiative is one way to take kids off the streets, bring them into classrooms, and ensure they remain in school,” he said.

According to Okanlawon, the programme, which started in September 2024, initially catered to 68 students but has since grown to benefit over 115 students and 15 teachers. 

“The partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health allows us to track the health and nutritional progress of the children using data such as BMI measurements. This helps us confirm the programme’s impact. As much as the government does its best, citizens need to step up and contribute. 

“This is why we are supporting Lagos State’s efforts to tackle malnutrition in public schools. The successes recorded so far are largely due to collaborations with the government, and so we need more people to get involved in different locations to support and deepen the school feeding programme,” he stated.

For some pupils, like Zainab  Muhammed, the meal has been very helpful as she focuses on her education.

“With the foundation giving meals three times a week, my parents can now save some money and use it for another important thing in the family. We are at day 35 and the last for the year,” Muhammed said.