Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that rice be distributed across Nigeria to support citizens observing the fasting seasons of Ramadan and Lent.
The distribution will be carried out by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a political support group aligned with the president. According to reports, the group has been instructed to coordinate the sharing of rice nationwide so that families observing the religious fasts can receive support during the period.
The announcement was made by Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State and Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, in a statement released on Saturday.
Uzodinma explained that the initiative is aimed at strengthening national unity and encouraging compassion during a time that holds deep spiritual significance for both Muslims and Christians.
He noted that Ramadan and Lent are periods that emphasise sacrifice, generosity, and care for others. According to him, the rice distribution is intended to reflect those values while ensuring that families across the country feel supported during the fasting season.
Under the arrangement, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors will use their nationwide grassroots network to oversee the distribution process. This, the statement said, is meant to ensure that the food support reaches communities across Nigeria while many citizens observe religious fasting.
“This directive will see the Renewed Hope Ambassadors coordinate the distribution through their nationwide grassroots network so that families across Nigeria can benefit from the intervention during this holy season when both Muslims and Christians are fasting,” the statement said.
The initiative is not the first of its kind by the current administration. A similar effort was organised during the Christmas season, when rice was also distributed to support Nigerians celebrating the festive period. Supporters of the programme say such initiatives reflect the government’s intention to stand with citizens during major religious and cultural occasions.
The rice packages are expected to be shared among both Christian and Muslim communities, a move the organisers say highlights the administration’s commitment to inclusiveness and national unity.
In a statement posted on social media by the Presidency, the initiative was described as part of the government’s broader effort to show solidarity with Nigerians during important religious observances while promoting harmony among different faith groups.
However, the programme has also attracted mixed reactions from some Nigerians. Critics argue that repeated rice distribution initiatives do not address the deeper economic challenges facing citizens and should not be presented as a long-term solution to the country’s problems.
Since the start of the 2026 Ramadan period, several pro-government groups have reportedly distributed food packages to Muslims across the country. One such initiative was organised by the City Boy Movement, a support group linked to the president’s son, Seyi Tinubu. The group recently held an empowerment programme in Imo State where items such as deep freezers, generators, sewing machines, and other equipment were distributed to help support small businesses.
Supporters say these efforts are aimed at providing relief and encouraging economic activity at the grassroots level, while critics maintain that broader structural reforms are needed to address the economic realities faced by many Nigerians.
