Ogbodo Ozioma Favour
The announcement of a 100 billion allocation to school feeding in the 2024 budget has sparked a range of reactions.
African Health Report, AHR, reported earlier that President Bola Tinubu revealed this provision during the signing of the 2024 appropriation bill into law at the State House in Abuja, emphasising that it aims to increase school attendance and reduce dropout rates.
He also expressed plans to collaborate with local governments at sub-national levels to implement an all-inclusive program.
Citizens have taken to social media to express their opinions on the allocation. Some have criticized the government’s decision, pointing out other pressing issues such as the non-functioning national refinery and unpaid workers’ salaries. Others have accused the government of using the school feeding program as a strategy for looting.
One X user @am_Dumis lamented the allocation, questioning the government’s priorities and expressing concern over the state of the national refinery.
He wrote: “100b for feeding students and national refineries are not working. “See wetin people Papa dey do for this country. And @officialEFCC are busy chasing young people in the streets. Please what are the names of the schools?”
Another X user @polEnthusiat who also criticized the government for introducing school feeding while neglecting to pay workers’ salaries, questioning the selective compassion displayed by the government said: “He has compassion for children but won’t pay the children’s parents their salaries. What sort of selective compassion is that?”
@ KelechiUchechu3 and @babashonk both accused the government of utilising every possible strategy for looting, while drawing comparisons to the actions of the previous administration, alleging similarities in looting strategies.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions, with some expressing skepticism and concern over the government’s priorities and intentions.
