Federal Government Proposes N100bn for School Feeding Program in 2025 Budget

The Nigerian federal government has proposed a substantial N100 billion allocation for the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) in its 2025 budget. The programme, which falls under the Service Wide Vote (SWV) and is managed by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, aims to continue its role in providing meals to schoolchildren across the country.

This funding proposal comes after the suspension of the feeding programme on January 12, which followed the suspension of Halima Shehu, the Chief Executive Officer of NSIPA, over alleged financial malfeasance. However, in August, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, confirmed the government’s commitment to relaunching the initiative.

Edun emphasized that the relaunch of the school feeding programme would not only improve the health and well-being of children but also serve as an incentive for them to stay in school, thereby reducing the number of out-of-school children. The government is dedicated to enhancing educational access nationwide, with the feeding initiative being part of a broader set of efforts to improve education.

In addition to the N100bn for NHGSFP, the 2025 budget also outlines significant spending to address outstanding debts. A total of N15bn is earmarked for settling electricity bills owed by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has claimed that MDAs owe a total of N42bn, separate from the N47.1bn owed to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), which earlier threatened to disconnect power to various government facilities.

The SWV’s budget for 2025 also includes provisions for other important items, including N2.3bn for the entitlements of former heads of state and vice presidents, N1bn for severance benefits for retired heads of government agencies, and N5bn for international sports competitions. Furthermore, N41.2bn has been allocated for contributions to international organizations.