Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the O-Meal School Feeding Programme, a pioneering initiative launched in 2006 to tackle child hunger and improve education outcomes.
Speaking through his Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Professor Abdulmaruf Adeleke, at a stakeholders’ conference in Abuja, the governor highlighted the vital role of nutrition in creating a conducive learning environment and building a healthier future for Osun children.
Themed “Sustainability of O-Meal for Improved Children Nutrition in Osun State Homegrown School Feeding Programme,” the conference brought together high-level participants from development agencies, embassies, and the private sector.
Despite rising food inflation, Governor Adeleke emphasized the programme’s resilience and continued growth, currently benefiting over 200,000 children.
“The sustainability of O-Meal provides an opportunity to invest in the lives of children, women, and others in the state,” the governor said. “Every financial or technical contribution directly impacts children, fosters a more equitable society, and helps define a roadmap for sustainability and development.”
Notable attendees included representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), AUDA-NEPAD, and Deputy Heads of Mission from Tunisia and the UAE, among others.
AUDA-NEPAD’s representative, Agymi Abubakar, commended Osun State for its consistency and innovation, saying the programme is a model for linking food security with human capital development. “O-Meal is a direct, impactful translation of national priorities,” he said.
Chief Mrs. Nike Adeleke, State Commissioner for Federal Affairs, described the event as a celebration of Osun’s homegrown success.
“The programme currently benefits over 200,000 children directly, making Osun the only sub-national in Nigeria to have maintained an uninterrupted and structured school feeding initiative since 2006,” she stated.
