Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has raised alarm over the growing hunger crisis in northern Nigeria, describing the situation as preventable and a consequence of poor leadership.
In a statement titled “UN’s Warning on Northern Nigeria’s Food Crisis” shared via his X account on Saturday, Obi reacted to the latest warning from the World Food Programme, describing the development as disturbing. He noted that northern Nigeria, often regarded as the country’s food basket, should not be battling such a severe humanitarian challenge.
Obi said he was worried by the UN report showing that the region is facing its worst food crisis in almost a decade, with over 17 million people across nine northern states currently experiencing crisis-level hunger, while more than 35 million Nigerians across the country remain vulnerable during the lean season.
He also described as troubling the report that more than 10,000 residents in Borno State have fallen into what the UN classified as “catastrophic” hunger levels, calling it a reflection of a wider national failure.
According to Obi, Nigeria, despite its vast natural and agricultural resources, should not be counted among the world’s hungriest nations, especially with the large expanse of fertile land in the North.
The former governor blamed the worsening food situation largely on insecurity, noting that banditry and insurgency have prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands and forced many farming communities into displacement.
He urged both the Federal Government and state governments to take urgent steps by securing farming areas, providing smallholder farmers with the support and resources they need, and working closely with the World Food Programme to bridge funding gaps before the crisis worsens further.
Northern Nigeria has been grappling with a worsening food crisis driven by persistent insecurity, banditry, insurgency, climate-related challenges, and economic hardship. Over the years, attacks on farming communities have displaced thousands of residents and prevented many farmers from cultivating their lands, significantly affecting food production across the region. Recent warnings from the United Nations’ World Food Programme revealed that millions of people across several northern states are facing severe hunger, with some already slipping into catastrophic food conditions. The growing crisis has sparked concerns among stakeholders, including former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who says urgent intervention is needed to prevent further deterioration.
