In a bold move to combat hunger and provide relief to vulnerable communities across Nigeria, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) launched its 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project on Thursday, distributing over one million 10kg bags of rice to impoverished Nigerians.
With a staggering value of N16 billion, the initiative is poised to reach all 774 local government areas of the country, significantly impacting the lives of over a million citizens.
At the ceremonial launch in Kano State, the foundation’s chairman, Aliko Dangote, was represented by his daughter, Marya Aliko Dangote, who emphasized the importance of the project in addressing the economic hardships faced by millions of Nigerians.
“This annual initiative embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility.
“It is our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation and reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting our communities,” she said.
The project, which marks the third year of this large-scale food distribution effort, aims to alleviate hunger, particularly during periods of economic difficulty.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation is working closely with state governments to ensure the rice reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each of the nation’s local government areas.
According to Mr Dangote, food is a basic human necessity, and it is in line with this belief that the foundation continues its commitment to providing food aid to Nigerians across the country.
“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that food reaches those in need, especially the most vulnerable in each state,” Dangote noted, reaffirming the foundation’s core values of supporting food security, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
“This is not just about food distribution; it's about improving the overall living conditions of Nigerians,” he added.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation, which has been a major philanthropic force in Nigeria, has already made a significant impact on the lives of many Nigerians.
Past projects have included donations to combat health challenges like the Ebola crisis in 2014 and COVID-19 in 2020, as well as initiatives supporting education, water supply, and poverty alleviation.
Kano State Governor, Abba K. Yusuf, who officially flagged off the distribution of the rice in the state, praised Dangote’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo, the governor emphasized the significance of this intervention in tackling hunger and improving the well-being of citizens in Kano, where 120,000 bags of rice will be distributed across all 44 local government areas.
“This initiative is a testament to Aliko Dangote’s unwavering commitment to addressing hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
“A similar event took place last year, where Mr. Dangote personally supervised the distribution of food to the needy.
His compassionate actions are commendable, and we are grateful for his continued support,” said Gworzo.
In a bid to ensure transparency, the Kano State government has set up a committee involving various stakeholders, including ministries, civil society organizations (CSOs), religious leaders, local authorities, and security agencies.
This committee will monitor the distribution process to guarantee that the food reaches those who need it most.
Zouera Youssoufou, the Managing Director and CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation spoke to reporters at the event, highlighting the foundation's continued commitment to fighting hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
“The Annual National Food Intervention Project is a key component of our mission to support governments in their fight against poverty and hunger.
“Mr Dangote is deeply passionate about philanthropy, and through this initiative, we aim to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians,” she said.
The humanitarian initiative has garnered widespread praise, with Dr Mujahid Aminudeen, Deputy Commander-General of the Hisbah Board in Kano, commending Dangote for his efforts.
“This initiative sets a great example for other Nigerians and organizations,” said Aminudeen.
“We are committed to ensuring the rice reaches the intended recipients, and we urge other citizens and corporate bodies to follow Dangote’s example in contributing to the welfare of society,” he added.
Ibrahim Ahmed, a representative of the poor and vulnerable, expressed gratitude on behalf of the recipients of the rice distribution.
“We thank Mr Dangote for his generosity, and we pray for continued success in his businesses,” said Ahmed.
The Aliko Dangote Foundation, under the leadership of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has been at the forefront of addressing various social challenges across Nigeria and beyond.
In addition to its food intervention projects, the foundation has made significant contributions to health, education, and disaster relief efforts.
Notably, the foundation donated N153 million to support Nigeria's fight against the Ebola Virus Disease in 2014, $3 million to the African Union to combat the disease, and N66.66 million for thermal scanning systems at Nigerian airports.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the foundation contributed N2 billion to the CACOVID Fund, a private-sector coalition working alongside the Nigerian government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to combat the spread of the virus. In addition to its focus on health, the foundation has also made impactful contributions to education, such as donating N1.2 billion to build a modern business school at Bayero University in Kano and a N300 million building to the University of Ibadan Business School.
Beyond Nigeria, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has extended its philanthropy internationally, contributing $1 million to support victims of the devastating earthquakes in Nepal.
Through these initiatives, Aliko Dangote and his foundation continue to demonstrate their deep commitment to improving lives and fostering development both within Nigeria and across the African continent. The 2025 National Food Intervention Project stands as another milestone in the foundation’s long-standing efforts to alleviate hunger and provide essential aid to the most vulnerable populations in society.
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