JIGAWA, NIGERIN – The government of Jigawa State has dismissed two kitchen supervisors over allegations that they deliberately inflated student enrollment figures in the state’s school feeding initiative, an action officials say was aimed at siphoning public funds meant for children’s nutrition.
Authorities in Jigawa State announced the decision following an internal audit that uncovered discrepancies between reported and actual numbers of pupils benefiting from the programme. The dismissed officials were said to be responsible for managing feeding operations in selected schools under the scheme.
The development has sparked renewed attention on accountability within Nigeria’s broader school feeding framework, which is part of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme designed to improve enrollment, reduce malnutrition, and support local farmers across Nigeria.
According to officials, the irregularities involved the submission of inflated student data to secure higher allocations of food supplies and funding. The state government stated that such practices undermine public trust and deny children the resources they are entitled to receive under the programme.
A senior official in the state education sector explained that the audit was triggered by routine monitoring exercises that revealed inconsistencies in attendance records and food distribution logs. Further investigations reportedly confirmed that the figures submitted by the affected kitchen masters did not match school headcounts.
The Jigawa State government emphasized that it will not tolerate corruption in any form, particularly in programmes directly affecting vulnerable populations such as schoolchildren. Officials added that the dismissal of the two workers is part of a broader effort to clean up the system and ensure transparency in public service delivery.
The school feeding programme, which operates in several states across Nigeria, was introduced as a social intervention to encourage school attendance, improve child nutrition, and support local food vendors. However, it has faced challenges over time, including funding delays, logistical issues, and allegations of mismanagement in some regions.
Observers note that cases like the one in Jigawa highlight the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms and digital tracking systems to verify student enrollment and meal distribution in real time. They argue that without stricter oversight, the programme remains vulnerable to exploitation by officials at various levels.
Community members in affected areas have expressed mixed reactions, with some praising the government for taking action, while others call for broader investigations to ensure that similar irregularities are not occurring elsewhere in the state.
The state government has assured residents that reforms are underway to strengthen accountability in the education and social welfare sectors. It also warned that any official found culpable of similar misconduct in the future will face immediate dismissal and possible legal action.
Officials concluded by reaffirming their commitment to ensuring that the school feeding initiative achieves its intended purpose of supporting education and improving child welfare across Jigawa State.
