Gov. Lawal Launches School Feeding Programme, Shares Meal With Zamfara Pupils

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has launched a comprehensive school feeding programme aimed at increasing school enrollment, improving nutrition, and reducing the number of out-of-school children across the state. The programme was flagged off at Dan-Turai Primary School in Gusau, where the governor shared a meal with pupils to mark the official commencement of the initiative. The launch took place on Thursday and featured the governor eating alongside the schoolchildren in what many have described as a symbolic show of solidarity with the beneficiaries of the programme. Governor Lawal said the initiative represents an emergency response to the educational challenges facing Zamfara, including widespread hunger, malnutrition, and low school attendance. He stated that the feeding scheme is designed to ensure every child in Zamfara has access to education and nourishment, stressing that education without adequate nutrition undermines learning outcomes. “No child should have to choose between learning and hunger,” the governor said. “This programme is about giving our children a chance to succeed.” The programme is being implemented in partnership with international development agencies including UNICEF, the World Bank’s AGILE initiative, the International Centre for Economic Development, and the FINPACT Development Foundation. These organisations are supporting the state government in the pilot phase, which targets select local government areas. According to the details of the pilot phase, FINPACT will provide meals to 1,000 pupils across Gusau, Maru, Anka, and Talata Mafara, while the International Centre for Economic Development is supporting feeding for 3,300 pupils in Gusau, Talata Mafara, and Shinkafi. Governor Lawal called for greater collaboration from stakeholders and urged donor agencies and community leaders to support the sustainability and expansion of the programme. He assured that the school feeding initiative would soon be extended to other parts of the state. The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to overhauling the basic education system and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, is enrolled, retained, and supported through their academic journey. The launch of the school feeding programme has been widely welcomed across Zamfara, with many seeing it as a critical step toward addressing the state’s educational and humanitarian challenges.