Chidinma Iroegbu
The Sokoto State Government has defended the ₦1 billion allocated for its 2026 Ramadan feeding programme, saying the initiative is structured to deliver more than one million meals to residents across the state amid rising food prices and economic hardship.
Director General of Media and Publicity to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, Abubakar Bawa, said the programme reflects the administration’s welfare policy and commitment to support vulnerable citizens during the fasting period.
“Opposition noise cannot and will never drown out the sterling performance of Governor Aliyu,” Bawa said while responding to allegations raised by the Peoples Democratic Party over the feeding programme.
He explained that the initiative is being implemented across 170 feeding centres in Sokoto State, an increase from the 155 centres used in the 2025 Ramadan intervention.
According to him, the programme is projected to serve about 34,000 meals daily throughout the 30-day Ramadan period, bringing the total number of meals to an estimated 1,020,000 beneficiaries.
Bawa said the ₦1 billion budget translates to an average of about ₦980 per meal when calculated against the projected number of meals, noting that the figure also covers operational and logistics costs.
He added that the allocation includes procurement of food items, transportation across local government areas, storage, cooking, stipends for food handlers, sanitation, supervision and coordination of the feeding centres.
The media aide also stated that part of the funds supports mosque-based feeding initiatives and live Ramadan programmes aimed at spiritual reflection and public enlightenment.
Bawa dismissed claims that the government distributed only garri, kuli-kuli and sachet water, saying the allegation originated from a photograph linked to a privately organised feeding exercise that was wrongly attributed to the state government.
He added that Governor Aliyu had personally visited several feeding centres across the state to inspect meal quality and ensure the programme aligns with the administration’s 9-Point Smart Agenda aimed at expanding welfare support and promoting Islamic affairs.