Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal launched a school feeding programme on July 11, 2025, at Government Day Secondary School, Gusau, distributing meals to 500 pupils and joining them to underscore its importance.
The initiative, backed by a ₦2 billion budget, aims to boost enrollment and nutrition in a state ravaged by banditry, where 40% of children face malnutrition per 2024 data. Lawal pledged to expand it to 300 schools by year-end.
The programme provides daily meals of rice, beans, and vegetables, sourced locally to support farmers, with monitoring by the State Universal Basic Education Board. Pupils cheered the governor’s participation, though logistical challenges in rural areas were noted.
Critics question sustainability amid security costs, but Lawal cited a 15% enrollment rise in pilot schools. The launch aligns with national efforts, drawing praise from education advocates.