Effects of School Feeding Programme on Pupils’ Attendance and Academic Performance in Jigawa State

This study examines the effects of the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme on pupils' school attendance and academic performance in public primary schools in Jigawa State, North West Nigeria. The school feeding programme, implemented as part of Nigeria's social investment agenda, aims to improve enrolment, reduce dropout rates, and enhance nutritional status among school-age children. The study adopts a descriptive ex-post facto design, drawing data from 280 Primary Three and Four pupils across eight beneficiary and non-beneficiary schools in Dutse, Hadejia, and Birnin-Kudu local government areas. Attendance records, termly examination scores, and a structured questionnaire administered to school heads and parents constitute the data sources. Independent samples t-test and chi-square statistics were applied. The study is grounded in the Human Capital Theory and the Basic Needs Framework. Findings are expected to show higher attendance rates and improved performance indicators among pupils in feeding programme schools compared to control schools. The quality and regularity of meal provision are examined as mediating variables. Recommendations target the Jigawa State Government, the National Social Investment Office, and the Universal Basic Education Commission on sustaining, monitoring, and improving programme implementation. The study contributes timely local evidence on the intersections of nutrition, welfare policy, and educational outcomes in North West Nigeria, and offers practical insights for teacher education discussions on community and social contexts of learning. Keywords: school feeding programme, attendance, academic performance, Jigawa State, social investment