The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has expanded its food outreach programme to 26 states across the country, bringing relief to thousands of widows, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable Nigerians.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, disclosed this during the symbolic distribution of food items to beneficiaries in Dutse, Jigawa State. She was represented at the event by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Mrs Kwapchi-Bata Hamman, Special Assistant on Media and ICT in the Office of the Vice President, said the First Lady reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians are not left behind in the nation’s development efforts.

Mrs Tinubu said the food intervention programme was created to complement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through targeted humanitarian and social support initiatives.

“The Renewed Hope Initiative remains steadfast in its mission to provide a safety net for those most in need, particularly women, children and vulnerable groups,” she said.

She announced that Ondo State would be the next beneficiary of the programme, adding that the intervention is being supported by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) and an anonymous donor.

According to her, the programme is designed to ease hardship and improve the living conditions of vulnerable citizens across the country.

Beyond the food distribution exercise, the First Lady also inaugurated the Renewed Hope Initiative Green Nigeria Challenge in Jigawa State to promote environmental sustainability.

The programme, themed “Go Green Today for a Greener Tomorrow,” encourages households, communities and state governments to embrace tree planting, environmental sanitation and green innovation.

Mrs Tinubu explained that the initiative, launched on Sept. 10, 2025, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment, aims to raise a generation of environmentally conscious young Nigerians.

She revealed that more than 3,000 people registered for the programme in Jigawa, while students from six environmental clubs and societies participated in the inauguration ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State commended the intervention, describing it as timely and in line with his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable residents.

He said the support aligns with the state's development agenda, which prioritises the needs of disadvantaged groups and promotes inclusive growth across Jigawa.