Over 1,800 pupils in Kano State have begun receiving nutritious breakfast meals under the new Snack for Thought” pilot, launched through the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (RH-NHGSFP).
The initiative, rolled out across Magwan Science Model Primary School, Race Course Science Model Primary School, and Ganduje Nomadic Primary School, is a collaborative effort between RH-NHGSFP, TechnoServe Nigeria’s West African Fortified Parboiled Unpolished Rice (WAFPUR) Project, and other stakeholders.
The pilot introduces healthy breakfast options made from whole-grain brown rice, including Kunun Gyada a rice and groundnut drink and Garau Garau a rice and beans dish designed to enhance child nutrition, improve learning outcomes, and encourage school attendance.
According to Dr. Princess Aderemi Adebowale, National Programme Manager of the RH-NHGSFP, the partnership aligns with the government’s goal of integrating nutrient-rich, locally sourced foods into the national school feeding menu.
“Our goal is to strengthen the national school feeding programme by integrating nutrient-rich, locally sourced foods like brown rice into school menus,” she said. “With every bowl served, we’re one step closer to a healthier, brighter future for Nigeria’s children.”
Through this partnership, TechnoServe is linking local millers and processors whose capacities have been strengthened under the WAFPUR projectto supply fortified brown rice meals. The initiative not only improves children’s nutrition and concentration in school but also empowers smallholder farmers and contributes to a more sustainable food system in Nigeria.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the “Snack for Thought” model could be scaled up nationwide to reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to child welfare, education, and local economic development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
