Mr. Peter Obi has called for urgent government intervention following a United Nations warning of a worsening food crisis in Northern Nigeria.
In a post on his X account, the former Anambra State governor described the situation as alarming, noting that Northern Nigeria has traditionally served as the country’s major food-producing region. He stressed the need for more effective policy implementation to address the growing humanitarian challenge.
Citing the latest assessment by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Obi said more than 17 million people across nine northern states are experiencing crisis-level hunger, while over 35 million Nigerians could face food insecurity during the current lean season. He also referenced reports indicating that more than 10,000 residents of Borno State are facing catastrophic hunger conditions.
Obi attributed the crisis largely to insecurity, including banditry and insurgency, which he said has prevented many farmers from accessing their farmlands. He urged the Federal and state governments to secure agricultural communities, support smallholder farmers, invest in rural infrastructure and collaborate with the WFP and other development partners to close critical funding gaps.
He maintained that Nigeria has the agricultural potential to overcome hunger and poverty through sustained investment in food production and people-centred economic policies, expressing confidence that the country can reverse the crisis with the right leadership and timely action.
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