Amid rising food insecurity, a grassroots Nigerian organization combines emergency aid, sustainability training, and meticulous verification to transform food systems in Oyo State.
The local organization is mounting a strategic, data-informed counterattack against hunger and systemic food waste. Foodbank Ibadan has launched a dual-front campaign, framing the crisis in stark human terms while deploying a methodical, community-anchored model to deliver aid and build long-term resilience.
“We are coming together to say one thing: no to hunger in our state. Let’s end food loss and food waste,” declared Lekan Popoola, a representative of the organization, during an interview on Adamimogo 105.1FM Ibadan. “A lot of people are going to bed hungry. A lot of people are not sure of where their next meal is coming from.”
The group’s highly visible annual “One Step, One Meal, One Future” campaign combines awareness walks with direct outreach. But Popoola is quick to clarify that the mission goes far beyond symbolism. “We are not just walking, we are also walking the talk,” he said. “We are telling [the community] we are in this with you.”
The substance behind that promise lies in a rigorous, pre-distribution “community inspection” process. Days before any food delivery, staff engage local stakeholders to identify and verify the needs of potential beneficiaries. This due diligence prioritizes the most vulnerable households and prevents the duplication of aid.
“You cannot compare a family of four to a family of one,” Popoola explained, emphasizing the need for equitable prioritization. “The distribution is just the easiest part.”
While emergency food parcels address the urgent crisis, Foodbank Ibadan’s vision extends to breaking the cycle of dependency. The organization is pioneering a bridge from relief to resilience through programs like family farming training, embodying the “teach me how to fish” philosophy.
“We want to tackle the present issue before we now move to the place of sustainability,” Popoola stated, outlining a phased approach that meets immediate needs while laying the groundwork for self-sufficiency.
Acknowledging that this work requires significant resources, Popoola positions the organization as a crucial, trustworthy channel for donors, both within Nigeria and across the diaspora. He identifies transparency as the key to unlocking widespread compassion.
“Nigerians are compassionate… but they are looking for… a trusted organization,” he noted. To build that trust, Foodbank Ibadan provides detailed reports to donors, meticulously accounting for how every fund and donated item is deployed within the community.
This fusion of urgent advocacy, verified community distribution, and a clear path to sustainability offers a replicable model for food security efforts across Nigeria.
As Popoola asserts, the fight is not just about handing out meals; it’s about meticulously rebuilding a local food system from the ground up, one verified household and one trained farmer at a time.
For support or partnership, Foodbank Ibadan can be contacted at: ibadanfoodbank@gmail.com.
