General
FG Lists Achievements of School Feeding Program
By Dipo Olowookere
The National Social Investments Office (NSIO) has highlighted the achievements and critical areas of the economy the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) has positively impacted on, since its launch in 2016.
The NSIO explained that the school feeding initiative has been driving financial inclusion and reducing poverty while boosting the prosperity of the cooks by providing them access to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs.
Special Adviser on Social Investments to the President, Mrs Maryam Uwais has said that in addition to the over nine million pupils in classes 1 to 3 currently benefitting from the programme in 26 States, almost 97,000 community women have been engaged and trained to prepare locally grown food and serve local delicacies to primary beneficiaries of the programme in almost 50,000 public primary schools nationwide.
In a document entitled ‘Progress on the NGHSFP’, released by the NSIO, the Federal Government highlighted the achievements and critical areas of the economy the National Home- Grown School Feeding Programme has positively touched.
It explained that it has been driving financial inclusion and reducing poverty while boosting the prosperity of the cooks by providing them access “to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs”.
It added that “more than 100,000 smallholder farmers and youth are engaged in the overall value chain of National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme; from production to processing, aggregation, packaging to distribution across different States in Nigeria.”
The document also noted that apart from increasing school enrolment and creating jobs, the feeding programme has helped to improve fish farming and poultry business further, in addition to making a significant investment in the beef industry.
It disclosed that the FG has invested over N253million to provide the fish consumed weekly in all the 26 States in collaboration with fish farmers cooperatives, as well as the Association of Aquaculture Farmers and Agro Processors of Nigeria.
“This helps to improve the livelihood of 2,716 fish out-growers for mass fish production in these States. Each week, these fish out growers produce approximately 83 metric tons (over N92million) of fish for the programme. In tandem w ith this, 1164 factory workers are involved in the fish processing. In the first year, the Agro Processors generated a profit of N2.5 million.
The document also highlighted its effect on the poultry and livestock sectors, explaining that 138,000 birds and 6,800,000 eggs worth N201 million and N204million respectively are purchased weekly from members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria in the various States.
It added that, “the Meat Sellers/Butchers Association in Nigeria supply an estimated 594 cattle from various local abattoirs across the country to support the programme. This is valued at over N570million per annum, thereby enhancing their production scale and profitability.”
Highlighting the programme’s impact on youth empowerment and food production, the document disclosed that, “over 500,000 young adults are engaged on the programme to support (through teaching assistant jobs in schools) directly, extension officers in agriculture, as well as health services within the community, having each received training and technology-enhanced devices (loaded with relevant modules) worth N100, 000 from the N-Power programme. Most of these youth serve as intermediaries between the small farmers and cooks, including teachers in the public primary schools where feeding is taking place.”
“The Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) of the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Buhari-led Administration has made available N82billion in funding to 350,000 farmers of rice, wheat, maize, cotton, cassava, poultry, soybeans and groundnut; who have cultivated about 400,000 hectares of land. Over 350,000 farmers in orange-fleshed sweet potato, poultry, rice, groundnut and soybean have been supported with funding for planting material and fertilizer to increase production.”
Contrary to what some might believe, the FG affirmed that its investment into the school feeding programme is proving to be cost-effective, sustainable and an example to be emulated by other countries.
“Not only does it produce mutually reinforcing outcomes, it also serves as a strong, sustainable economic model. Farmers are able to increase their production capacity and income through a structured and predictable market. Additionally, women and youth are economically empowered through their participation in the food supply chain.
The evidence for the positive impact of school feeding programmes on the education, health and the economy of the beneficiary communities is clear. The example of Nigeria’s school Feeding Programme provides an inspiration to other countries looking to develop their own sustainable school feeding programmes.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The South African Consulate General in Lagos, in partnership with Brand South Africa and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), is hosting the 4th edition of the South Africa Focus Week in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 – 26, 2026.
The annual platform continues to grow as a strategic initiative aimed at fostering social cohesion between South Africans and Nigerians while positioning South Africa as a preferred destination for business, tourism, and education. Since its inception in 2023, South Africa Focus Week has attracted over 1,500 participants, bringing together stakeholders from across sectors, including trade and investment, arts and culture, tourism, aviation, and the culinary industry.
The 2026 edition holds particular significance as it coincides with the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democratic Constitution, enacted in 1996, as well as 32 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria, established in February 1994. These milestones underscore the enduring partnership between the two nations, rooted in shared history and strengthened through formal agreements and ongoing collaboration.
The 2025 economic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria reflects a strategically significant, multi-dimensional partnership anchored in trade, energy security, investment flows, and strong institutional cooperation. While bilateral trade remains structurally imbalanced – with South Africa exporting US$468.48 million and importing $1.69 billion, resulting in a $1.22 billion deficit – this dynamic is largely driven by South Africa’s reliance on Nigerian crude oil, positioning the relationship as one of strategic interdependence rather than imbalance alone.
This partnership is further elevated by the relative economic weight of both countries. According to IMF projections, South Africa’s economy is valued at approximately $443.6 billion, while Nigeria’s stands at around $334.3 billion in nominal terms for 2026. As two of the largest economies on the continent, their bilateral engagement constitutes a central axis of African economic activity, with disproportionate influence on the success of continental integration efforts.
Beyond trade, the relationship is reinforced by deep two-way investment linkages. South African firms -including MTN Group, Shoprite, and Standard Bank – maintain a strong presence in Nigeria, while Nigerian companies such as Access Bank and Paystack have established a growing footprint in South Africa. Although investment flows are asymmetrical and some Nigerian firms have faced operational challenges, these exchanges reflect an emerging bi-directional economic corridor that extends beyond goods trade into services, finance, and digital innovation.
Aligned with Brand South Africa’s mandate to build the country’s global reputation and competitiveness, the week-long programme will convene leaders from government, business, civil society, academia, and the media. Discussions will focus on leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a tool for market access and global positioning, with Nigeria serving as a key focal point.
The South Africa Focus Week has features a series of high-level engagements and cultural activities designed to deepen economic ties and promote collaboration: South Africa–Nigeria Infrastructure Investment Conference (April 22, 2026) which was held under the theme South Africa–Nigeria Partnership: Unlocking Infrastructure Opportunities,” the conference will bring together key stakeholders in infrastructure development to explore collaborative projects in road, rail, and transportation systems.
The forum also examined the role of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and facilitated discussions on project financing and implementation with institutions such as the DBSA and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
This was followed by the 2nd Economic Diplomacy Roundtable (Thursday, April 23, 2026), which was hosted in partnership with MTN Nigeria under the theme Role of Technology in Infrastructure Development, the roundtable will convene senior government officials, private sector leaders, and industry experts to identify investment opportunities and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Friday, April 24, was for Arts and Culture Experience, which is a dedicated cultural day will showcase Lagos’ creative spaces and features a panel discussion on South Africa’s arts, film, music, and culture. The programme includes a South African film screening, engagements with filmmakers, and a networking reception aimed at fostering collaboration between the creative industries of both countries.
The event continues on Thursday, April 25, with Freedom Day Celebration and Closing Ceremony. This commemorative event will celebrate 30 years of South Africa’s Constitution, 32 years of freedom and democracy, and the enduring diplomatic relations between South Africa and Nigeria. The ceremony will also provide an opportunity to reflect on outcomes from the week and outline future areas of cooperation.
The celebration forms part of Brand South Africa’s Global South Africans Programme, which recognises and connects South Africans in the diaspora as ambassadors of the nation’s values and identity.
The week climaxes with the 4th edition of the South Africa Golf Tournament at Ikoyi Golf Club on Saturday, April 26, 2026, which will be done in partnership with Crossflex International.
According to a statement, the event aims to strengthen people-to-people relations through sports diplomacy, bringing together South African and Nigerian golfers in a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The former chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Ayeni, has been apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Spokesperson of the anti-money laundering agency, Mr Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of the businessman on Friday but declined to provide further details, according to TheCable.
Mr Ayeni was accused of diverting the N36.5 billion and $30 million loans from Polaris Bank Limited to companies with which he has links.
He was alleged to have obtained the credit facilities for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects, but moved them to telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.
After the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked the operating licence of Skye Bank in 2018, it nationalised it to Polaris Bank.
The EFCC has been looking into the alleged diversion of funds by Mr Ayeni, resulting in his arrest in Abuja on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
He is being grilled over the matter and would be arraigned in court once the investigation is concluded.
This is not the first time Mr Ayeni has been nabbed and probed by the EFCC, as this happened a few months after his bank lost its licence.
The then acting spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Tony Orilade, said Mr Ayeni was quizzed by detectives over issues related to fraud and embezzlement allegedly committed by him when he was Chairman of the bank a few years ago.
By Adedapo Adesanya
“We are fully committed to working with the new Commissioner of Police and giving all necessary support towards the successful discharge of his responsibilities.”
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