Governor Dauda Lawal launches school feeding programme to tackle out-of-school crisis in Zamfara
In a major step to address the growing number of out-of-school children in Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal on Tuesday launched the state’s Homegrown School Feeding Programme, aimed at improving school enrollment, retention, and completion rates.
The official flag-off ceremony was held at Dan-Turai Primary School in Gusau, where Governor Lawal symbolically shared a meal with pupils, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to nurturing a generation of well-fed and educated children.
Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal described the initiative as part of a broader emergency response strategy to reduce the high dropout rate and combat malnutrition in school-age children. “The school feeding program we are flagging off today is part of our efforts to promote enrollment and retention of pupils while fighting hunger and malnutrition,” he said.
He revealed that the programme is supported by implementing partners including UNICEF, the World Bank (through the AGILE Programme), the International Centre for Economic Development (ICED), and the FINPACT Development Foundation (FINDEF).
According to the governor, FINPACT will feed 1,000 pupils across Gusau, Maru, Anka, and Talata Mafara LGAs, while ICED will sponsor meals for 3,300 pupils in Gusau, Talata Mafara, and Shinkafi, making a total of over 4,000 pupils targeted in the pilot phase.
Governor Lawal also noted that a Technical Committee has been set up by the Ministry of Education in partnership with UNICEF to tour all 14 local government areas, identify out-of-school children, and facilitate their reintegration into the school system.
Commissioners Wadatau Madawaki (Education) and Salisu Musa (Humanitarian Affairs) both described the initiative as a “game-changer” in the state’s battle against child hunger, illiteracy, and early school dropouts.
Zamfara currently ranks among states with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, a crisis fueled by poverty, insecurity, and lack of educational support systems challenges the feeding programme seeks to address head-on.
Governor Lawal urged more donor agencies and stakeholders to come on board, stating: “Together, we can make our state a shining example in providing quality and inclusive education for all.”
