Government School Feeding Program

Introduction

The Federal Government’s decision to resume the school feeding program under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has sparked widespread criticism. This initiative, seen by many as a conduit for financial malfeasance, raises fundamental questions about the structure and priorities of the Nigerian government.

The Fallacy of Federalism

It’s disheartening to witness a country that claims to practice federalism naively channel massive budgetary allocations into a primary school feeding program. In a true federation, such responsibilities should rest with the state governments, not the federal government. The Local Government Council, often mistaken as a federating unit, is not one. Globally, local administration is the sole responsibility of state governments, or regional governments as practiced during Nigeria’s First Republic.

The Flawed Constitution and Northern Dominance

The 1999 constitution, a product of military imposition, is fundamentally flawed. Crafted under the influence of northern Muslim elites, it deliberately established local government councils as a third tier of government. This allowed for the creation of surplus councils in the North, which were then used to carve out federal constituencies. The result? A disproportionate number of northern representatives in the National Legislature and a continuous flow of statutory revenue to the North, to the detriment of the South.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs: A Hotbed of Corruption

Despite the glaring financial irregularities uncovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs last year, Nigerians hoped that the unnecessary ministry would be scrapped, aligning with the Steve Oronsaye report’s recommendations on the merger and abolition of redundant MDAs. However, the lucrative opportunities for financial manipulation in the school feeding program seem too tempting for the current administration to forgo.

The North’s Exploitation of Public Funds

The school feeding program, originally designed to assist education-backward areas like the North, has become a convenient tool for siphoning public funds. Despite the substantial statutory revenue allocated to northern local governments, which should ideally provide adequate education, healthcare, and basic amenities, the region remains mired in poverty and underdevelopment.

A Call for True Federalism and Accountability

If President Tinubu is genuinely committed to Nigeria’s progress, he must implement the Steve Oronsaye report and immediately restructure the country to reflect the principles of a true federal system. Unfortunately, his actions thus far do not inspire confidence in the possibility of such reforms.

Conclusion

The resumption of the federal government school feeding program is not just a financial misstep; it is a symptom of deeper systemic flaws in Nigeria’s governance. Until these issues are addressed, the country will continue to struggle under the weight of its own contradictions.

Links:

1. Steve Oronsaye Report
   Link: Steve Oronsaye Report on MDA Reform
2. Federalism: Theory and Practice
   Link: The Concept of Federalism
3. School Feeding Programs in Developing Countries
   Link: School Feeding Programs Overview
4. Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution Analysis
   Link: Analysis of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution