Image Source: Prime Progress NG
Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, facing the challenges of a rapidly changing climate and a persistent burden of child malnutrition. The country’s food systems, which see a large proportion of small-scale farmers depend on rain-fed farming, render it vulnerable to the disruptions caused by climate change. With the weather and land essentially the only capital these farmers have, this susceptibility is further underscored by Nigeria’s ranking in the ND-GAIN index, which indicates a high degree of vulnerability coupled with a limited capacity to adapt to climate change impacts. To better understand this, Nigeria, with a 39.4 score, behind countries like Kenya and Ghana, is ranked 152 out of 187 countries assessed for its vulnerability to climate disasters and adaptive capacities.
Consequently, Nigeria grapples with a severe child malnutrition crisis, evidenced by its position as having the second-highest number of stunted children globally. A substantial percentage of children under the age of five experience stunting, wasting, and being underweight, conditions that significantly compromise their health and development. Alarmingly, malnutrition is a direct or underlying cause in a large proportion of mortalities among children under five years old. The relationship between climate change and child malnutrition is becoming increasingly apparent, with alterations in climate patterns directly impacting the availability, accessibility, and nutritional quality of food, thereby exacerbating malnutrition.
Erratic temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns have been shown to influence nutrition, human capital investment, and overall living standards, particularly affecting children who are most vulnerable to these changes. Tackling these crises is not just about health or the environment; it’s a national priority. Without decisive action to curb climate change’s effects on food security and nutrition, efforts to improve child health could be compromised. Moreover, climate change threatens to undo progress made in reducing child malnutrition, making proactive and sustainable solutions more urgent than ever.
The Climate-Nutrition Nexus in Nigeria
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change is causing extreme weather shifts in Nigeria. Heavy rainfall in the south leads to flooding that damages crops, while the north faces droughts due to reduced rainfall. These changes disrupt farming cycles, making food production unstable. Shifts in rain and sunshine affect planting and harvesting, causing food shortages and higher prices. In northern Nigeria, prolonged droughts worsen water scarcity and harm crop growth, threatening agricultural sustainability.
Beyond these gradual shifts in precipitation, Nigeria is also witnessing an increased frequency of extreme weather events, which pose severe risks to both food security and nutritional outcomes. Incidents of floods, droughts, ocean heat, heavy rainstorms, and an overall increase in the frequency of heavy precipitation are becoming more common. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) released a weather heat watch, which saw states like Kebbi, Taraba, Yola, amongst others, with possible extremely harsh weather conditions. These extreme weather events contribute to substantial agricultural losses and can lead to long-term soil infertility, further diminishing the capacity for food production. The immediate consequences of these events include disruptions in food availability, reduced access to nutritious food, and a decline in the overall quality of food produced.
Impacts of School Feeding Programmes on Sustainable Nutrition
Image Source: Global Giving
Sustainable nutrition ensures that all children have access to healthy, safe and nutritious food while protecting resources for future generations, especially in the face of climate change. As shifting climate patterns threaten food security and widespread child malnutrition persists, initiatives like National Home Grown School Feeding Programmes (HGSFPs) play a crucial role in providing reliable, climate-friendly nutrition solutions.
School feeding programmes, especially when they use locally sourced food, do more than just give children a meal. They can boost children’s nutrition in a few ways. One major way is to make their diets more diverse. This local sourcing will involve using traditional and culturally appropriate foods, which are often more varied and packed with nutrients than bought options. Research has shown that kids who participate in school feeding programmes tend to have more diverse diets. For example, a study by Frontier in Nutrition in Ethiopia, found that teenage girls in a school feeding program ate significantly more folate (Vitamin B9 that plays a crucial role in red blood cell formation, DNA synthesis, and cell growth) and had better overall dietary diversity. Introducing kids to lots of nutritious foods early on through HGSFPs can also help them develop healthier eating habits that can stick with them for life.
A well-planned school meal in HGSFPs can help with micronutrient deficiencies, a big health problem in Nigeria. These meals can be fortified or naturally include foods rich in important micronutrients like iron, vitamin A, and iodine. School feeding programmes can also intentionally use biofortified crops, like orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and iron-fortified beans, to make the meals even more nutritious. Considering Nigeria’s high rates of stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, HGSFPs are a direct and effective way to get these crucial nutrients to children who might not get enough at home. Beyond just specific nutrients, studies have shown that school feeding programmes can lead to real improvements in children’s overall health. Nutrition and brain functions are linked, and school meals from HGSFPs can positively affect children’s concentration, how well they learn, and ultimately, how they do in school. By making sure kids aren’t hungry and consistently get nutritious food, these programmes create a better learning environment, helping them get the most out of their education
Besides the nutritional benefits, HGSFPs also offer significant climate mitigation and adaptation value by supporting more sustainable food systems. When HGSFPs source food from local smallholder farmers, it cuts down on food miles, which captures the distance that food travels from production to consumption. This reduction in transportation, processing, and storage directly lowers the carbon footprint of food systems.
It’s worth noting that many school feeding programmes in lower-income countries make it a priority to give local farmers access to markets, which supports improvement in economic outcomes for these farmers. Shortening the food supply chain through local buying not only helps the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also gives a boost to the local economy and means kids get fresher and potentially more nutritious food.
HGSFPs can also play a crucial role in supporting agriculture that’s resilient to climate change. By creating a steady and predictable market for local farmers’ produce, these programmes give them an incentive to use more sustainable and climate-resilient farming methods. These programmes can actively encourage growing crops that can handle drought and climate change, like legumes, cassava, and sorghum, which usually need less water and fertiliser and can also improve the soil. This guaranteed demand for climate-resilient crops through HGSFPs can help Nigeria diversify its agricultural production, making the whole food system more adaptable to the growing challenges of changing climate patterns. As such, Governments that are the offtakers can also direct how the commodities are produced by providing climate-smart agriculture training to the farmers
Another major way HGSFPs help the climate is by reducing food waste. Good management within these programmes, including better planning of menus, improved food storage, and effective distribution, can really cut down on wasted food. Things like giving students choices through “offer versus serve” models, setting up shared tables for uneaten food, and teaching students and staff about the importance of reducing food waste can all help. Reducing food waste not only saves money and uses resources more efficiently but also lessens the environmental impact of food production and disposal.
Increased primary school enrolment and completion in rural farming communities can improve educational outcomes and enhance socio-economic development. When more children attend and finish primary school, literacy and numeracy rates rise, enabling families to adopt better farming techniques, manage finances, and access information that can improve agricultural productivity.
Finally, HGSFPs can encourage more sustainable practices in schools and beyond. Many programmes include nutrition education and might even have school gardens, where the children are introduced early on to do-it-yourself (DIY) farming. These offer great chances to teach children about sustainable food systems, the basics of agriculture, and the importance of healthy eating habits. Some programmes focus on cleaner cooking methods in school kitchens, which can help reduce deforestation from using firewood and decrease air pollution. By getting children involved in growing and understanding their food, HGSFPs can help create a generation that’s more aware of the environment and committed to sustainable food practices in the future.
Case Studies of Successful National or Large-Scale School Feeding Programmes
Case Study 1: Osun State in Nigeria
The Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O-MEALS) has been a transformative initiative in Osun State, Nigeria, aiming to nourish young minds and foster educational growth. Launched in 2006 and revitalised in 2012, this programme has provided daily nutritious meals to primary school pupils, leading to notable improvements in student enrolment, retention, and overall well-being.
The introduction of O-MEALS marked a significant turning point for primary education in Osun State. Schools that once faced declining enrolment witnessed remarkable increases. For instance, Baptist Day Primary School’s enrolment surged from 110 to 253 pupils between 2012 and 2016. Overall, the state’s out-of-school children percentage dropped from 12.8% in 2011 to 10.5% in 2017, with a 60% jump in enrolment rates during the same period. This surge underscores the program’s role in making education more accessible and appealing to children and their families
Beyond attracting students to classrooms, O-MEALS has played a crucial role in keeping them there. Regular, nutritious meals have improved pupils’ health, leading to better concentration and participation. Reports indicate that the programme enhanced pupils’ performance in both curricular and extracurricular activities. Parents and educators have observed that children are more eager to attend school, knowing that a wholesome meal awaits them.
A distinctive feature of O-MEALS is its emphasis on empowering local women. All 3,007 cooks hired were female, screened for education and physical fitness, and trained in food quality, preparation, and hygiene. Each cook received a three-year interest-free loan to purchase cooking materials and a transport subsidy for market trips. This initiative has provided employment opportunities, boosting household incomes and contributing to poverty alleviation. As such, O-MEALS has significantly contributed to sustainable nutrition by sourcing food locally, thereby supporting local farmers and ensuring fresh produce for meals. The programme’s focus on balanced diets has positively influenced pupils’ nutritional status.
Case Study 2: South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province
In the heart of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) has become a cornerstone of student well-being and academic success. By providing daily meals to students in underprivileged areas, the NSNP aims to alleviate hunger, enhance educational outcomes, and promote sustainable nutrition. This initiative has had profound effects on the students’ health and learning experiences, as well as on the broader community’s approach to nutrition.
For many children in KwaZulu-Natal, the school-provided meal is their most substantial source of daily nutrition. This consistent access to food has led to notable improvements in their health. Studies have shown that participation in school feeding programmes is associated with increased height and weight over a 12-month period, indicating positive growth outcomes. Additionally, these programmes have been linked to a significant increase in school attendance rates by an average of 9 per cent, as students are more likely to attend school when meals are provided.
Teachers have observed that students who receive regular meals are more attentive and engaged during classes. The reduction in hunger-related distractions allows for better concentration, leading to improved academic performance. Furthermore, the programme has been linked to a decrease in illness-related absenteeism, as better-nourished children tend to have stronger immune systems.
Beyond addressing immediate hunger, the NSNP plays a vital role in promoting sustainable nutrition practices within the community. Schools are encouraged to establish food gardens, which serve as both a source of fresh produce for meals and an educational tool for students. Through these gardens, children learn about agriculture, the importance of a balanced diet, and the value of self-sufficiency. This hands-on experience fosters a deeper understanding of nutrition and encourages healthy eating habits that extend beyond the school environment.
Case Study 3: Bahia State, Brazil
Brazil’s National School Feeding Programme (PNAE) stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to connecting education, nutrition, and sustainable development. This programme ensures that students receive nutritious meals and fosters local economies, and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
PNAE has evolved into a comprehensive initiative serving over 43 million students across Brazil’s public schools. A pivotal reform in 2009 mandated that at least 30% of the programme’s food procurement budget be allocated to purchases from local family farms. This policy shift aimed to enhance the nutritional quality of school meals while simultaneously supporting local agriculture and reducing environmental impacts associated with long-distance food transportation.
Beyond physical health, PNAE has influenced students’ attitudes toward food and sustainability. In Vitoria, for instance, students initiated a campaign to reduce food waste, successfully decreasing weekly waste from 50 kg to approximately 7-8 kg. This initiative not only fostered a culture of sustainability within the school but also influenced students’ dietary habits at home, promoting healthier eating practices among families.
PNAE’s requirement to source a portion of food from local family farms has invigorated Bahia’s agricultural sector. This policy has provided small-scale farmers with stable markets, encouraging the cultivation of diverse, nutrient-rich crops and reducing reliance on ultra-processed foods.
Conclusion
Image Source: WFP/Raul Saenz
The case for Nigeria’s National Home Grown School Feeding Programmes (HGSFPs) is clear: they are more than a nutrition initiative. They are a foundation for healthier children, stronger communities, and climate-smart development. But to truly maximise their impact, we must approach them with vision and pragmatism.
One key strategy is building climate resilience into the heart of school feeding. This means diversifying food sources to include drought-tolerant crops like legumes, cassava, sorghum, and millet, ensuring a consistent supply even when climate shocks hit. Encouraging climate-smart agriculture among local farmers is also vital through training on sustainable practices, efficient irrigation, and improved soil management. When we equip farmers with tools to adapt, we strengthen the food supply for schools and communities alike.
Beyond the farm, resilience means improving food storage and safe handling and integrating with national early warning systems to anticipate and respond to climate-related disruptions. It’s not just about being reactive; it’s about being ready.
However, success hinges on addressing the day-to-day realities of implementation. Challenges like weak infrastructure, limited kitchen facilities, and complex logistics must be tackled with decentralised, community-led solutions. Strong local participation from parents and teachers to farmers and cooks ensures ownership, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
Empowering smallholder farmers is especially critical. With better access to credit, training, and guaranteed markets through HGSFPs, farmers can thrive and, in turn, fuel a virtuous cycle of local economic growth and better child nutrition.
The lessons are clear: when grounded in community, backed by policy, and built for resilience, school feeding becomes a transformational tool. It’s time to scale what works, invest in what matters, and ensure that no child in Nigeria goes to school hungry, not today, not tomorrow.
