Impact of School Feeding Programme on Nutritional Status of Pupils in Ogun State

The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme represents a flagship social protection intervention in Nigeria, aimed at improving school enrolment, attendance, and the nutritional status of primary school pupils. This study evaluates the impact of the school feeding programme on the nutritional status of pupils in Ijebu North and Sagamu local government areas of Ogun State, South West Nigeria. While the programme has been widely implemented, independent assessments of its nutritional effectiveness at the state level remain limited. A comparative cross-sectional design was employed, contrasting 200 pupils in schools with the active programme against 200 pupils in control schools without the programme, matched for location and socioeconomic characteristics. Nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric measurements using WHO reference standards. Dietary intake on school days was compared between the two groups using a 24-hour recall. Haemoglobin concentration was measured as a proxy indicator of micronutrient status. School attendance records were also reviewed. Results are expected to demonstrate significantly better weight-for-age and height-for-age z-scores among programme beneficiaries, and greater dietary diversity on school days. The study provides state-specific evidence to inform programme management and quality improvement efforts in Ogun State. Keywords: school feeding programme, nutritional status, primary school pupils, Ogun State, dietary diversity.