In a bid to tackle rising food insecurity and provide succour to its most vulnerable residents, the Oyo State Government has commenced the distribution of 10kg bags of rice donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) to 30,000 beneficiaries across the state.
The distribution, which marks the beginning of the second phase of the state’s Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme, was officially flagged off at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan.
At the launch ceremony, Professor Musibau Babatunde, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the SAfER committee, noted that the initiative aims to cushion the effects of economic hardship and rising inflation on disadvantaged groups. According to him, the rice palliative is one of many interventions under SAfER targeted at improving the welfare of residents amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms.
Beneficiaries of the programme were carefully selected from all 33 local government areas of the state. They include widows, senior citizens, persons living with disabilities, and other indigent residents who are often left out of mainstream relief efforts.
“This is a symbolic presentation of rice donated to Oyo State by the Aliko Dangote Foundation. We are in the second phase of the SAfER programme initiated by Governor Seyi Makinde to address poverty and enhance welfare among the people,” Babatunde said.
He added, “This distribution is not just a government intervention but a strategic partnership with the private sector to build resilience and provide immediate food support for our vulnerable population. Our goal is to reach 30,000 households and ensure equitable coverage across all local governments.”
The Head of Operations of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr. Edero Victor Ejiro, was present at the event and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting communities across Nigeria facing economic hardship. According to him, the rice donation is part of a larger nationwide effort by the foundation to distribute one million bags of 10kg rice to people living in poverty, widows, and disadvantaged groups.
“We commend the Oyo State government, particularly Governor Makinde, for putting the poorest of the poor at the centre of their policy response. This partnership is in line with our mission at the Aliko Dangote Foundation to enhance nutrition and improve economic resilience,” Ejiro said.
He also encouraged beneficiaries to extend a hand of kindness to others in need around them, stating, “This initiative is not only about receiving but also about sharing with your neighbours, especially those who are worse off.”
The SAfER programme, introduced in 2023 as a response to the economic strain caused by fuel subsidy removal and inflation, is a multi-sectoral intervention designed to provide short- and medium-term relief to residents. The programme encompasses food security, transport subsidies, agriculture, education support, and micro-business empowerment.
Since the launch of SAfER’s first phase, Oyo State has rolled out subsidized food items, provided support for schoolchildren, and implemented transport relief schemes for public workers. The rice distribution under Phase II is expected to further bolster food access during a time when Nigerians are grappling with increased food prices and cost of living.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), food inflation stood at over 40% as of May 2025, with staple commodities like rice becoming increasingly unaffordable for low-income households. In this context, the partnership between Oyo State and the Dangote Foundation represents a critical intervention to ease hunger and protect vulnerable populations.
Community leaders and residents present at the event expressed appreciation for the state government’s initiative and the philanthropic gesture from the Dangote Foundation. For many beneficiaries, the food relief is a welcome lifeline.
Mrs. Kehinde Alabi, a widow from Ogbomoso North, shared her gratitude, saying, “I have not received any form of support since my husband died three years ago. This rice may seem small to some, but it means a lot to me and my children.”
Observers have lauded the SAfER programme for its structure and multi-stakeholder approach. By combining government resources with private sector contributions, Oyo State is crafting a model for coordinated social intervention.
With more state governments struggling to meet welfare obligations amid dwindling revenues, the Oyo-Dangote collaboration offers a blueprint for public-private partnerships aimed at poverty alleviation.
As the second phase of SAfER continues to unfold, state officials hinted that more food and welfare initiatives will be launched in the coming weeks, including empowerment programmes for farmers and small-scale traders.