Dangote Foundation Scales Up National Food Relief Efforts, Targets One Million Recipients Across 10 States
…Rice Distribution Kicks Off in Kano, Lagos, and Seven States, as Part of Ongoing Food Relief Efforts
Enamuzo Iboma, Lagos
As part of its 2025 Food Intervention Programme, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has distributed hundreds of thousands of bags of rice to ten states, including Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Lagos, Abuja, Katsina, Borno, and Gombe. The Foundation has announced that additional states will receive their rice deliveries within the week.
Over one million Nigerians from the 774 Local Government Areas will receive a 10kg bag of rice each from the Aliko Dangote Foundation as part of a programme worth N16 billion. The hunger-alleviating initiative was launched in Kano by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Foundation, to mark the start of the 2025 intervention process.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mrs. Zouera Youssoufou, described the Food Intervention Programme as its second edition, a way of supporting governments’ efforts and giving back to Nigerians, especially the needy and vulnerable in society.
Mrs. Youssoufou, while fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of the flag-off in Kano, said the exercise reflects the concerns and compassion of Mr. Dangote for the plight of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Trustee of the Foundation, Mariya Aliko Dangote, stated that the intervention is part of the Foundation’s response to the country’s current economic challenges, adding that it is expected to provide some relief to poor families.
Representative of the Foundation during the flag-off in Bauchi State, Mr. Ahmed Hashem, assured that the Foundation would not rest on its laurels, adding that 25,000 bags of 10kg rice had been delivered in the State.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu Wanka, explained further that each of the 20 LGAs will receive 500 bags of the rice, while 10,000 bags would be allocated to mosques and churches, considering that the Christians are also observing the annual Lenten fasting period, while the remaining 5,000 bags will be shared to some critical stakeholders.
At the weekend, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, who commended the Foundation, added that 30,000 bags of 10kg rice were delivered to the State. He assured that beneficiaries would be carefully selected by a government committee for the distribution of the food items.
Similarly, in Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed profound gratitude for the 30,000-bag donation from ADF, saying that the distribution would commence immediately to ensure timely relief for the people.
The Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, also lauded the intervention, offering prayers for continued prosperity for Dangote Industries Limited. In his remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, applauded Dangote’s numerous initiatives to alleviate Nigerians’ suffering and praised him for showing compassion for the needy.
Dr. Hamzat, who received the ADF delegation led by its Trustee, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote and Managing Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Youssoufou, on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s consistency in spreading love and charity across Lagosians, which he described as one of the important aspects of the Ramadan and Lent season.
Sanwo-Olu said the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the Foundation prioritise the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
The Governor said: “Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that has chosen to be different. You have choices but you have made the right one, which is caring for the vulnerable. I appreciate Mr. Aliko Dangote for extending his kind gestures to the people at the bottom of the pyramid, and we are grateful for supporting us in government. There is a lot of global disruption in various parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership.”
In a statement issued by the Group Chief Branding and Corporate Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, the distribution of food items by the Foundation is being coordinated through state governments to ensure that the nationwide assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries effectively.
“This monumental intervention reinforces the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s dedication to humanitarian service, offering much-needed respite to millions grappling with economic hardship across Nigeria,” chiejina stated.
