Nigeria’s efforts to tackle child hunger and keep pupils in school have received international recognition, with the National Programme Manager of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), Dr. Princess Aderemi Folashade Adebowale, selected for the 2026 “Ambassador for Peace” Award by the AWHPI Global Foundation.
Adebowale is expected to receive the honour on September 22, 2026, during the foundation’s programme and awards ceremony in New York City, as part of the side events of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81).
The recognition, according to the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), spotlights Adebowale’s leadership in expanding Nigeria’s school feeding programme, as well as her commitment to humanitarian service, inclusion and sustainable development.
The Ambassadors for Peace honour recognises individuals whose work advances peace, humanitarian service, leadership, inclusion, sustainable development and global cooperation, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
NSIPA said the award also represents international recognition of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the role of the NHGSFP in improving child nutrition, increasing school enrolment and creating economic opportunities for local farmers.
Under Adebowale’s leadership, the agency said the school feeding programme has continued to expand its reach while strengthening transparency in the delivery of meals to millions of Nigerian pupils.
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Beyond feeding children, the programme has also provided jobs and expanded market access for smallholder farmers supplying food for the school meals, according to the agency.
The foundation described the honour as more than a personal recognition, saying it should encourage leaders to deploy their influence towards practical solutions for peace and sustainable development.
Adebowale was selected alongside a group of international figures recognised for contributions across healthcare, community development, humanitarian service, business, entertainment and public leadership.
Other honourees listed by the foundation include Shannon Roper Hernandez, founder and CEO of Hernandez Holistic Health, United States; David Ahmed Coulibaly, Director of Community Affairs in the Office of the Bronx Borough President; Laura P. Thomas Davis, Panama-based fashion designer; Adebisi Clare Jagunna, founder and CEO of Hands Lifting Hearts Inc.; Hon. Jennifer Adighije, Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company; and Hollywood filmmaker and producer Anthony “Tony Dody” DeGraaf.
The three-day AWHPI Global programme, scheduled for September 21–23, will feature high-level dialogues, keynote addresses, panel sessions, the Global Honors and Awards, networking sessions and activities at the United Nations Headquarters for participating delegates.
