The sharpest fact: A hunger crisis is ravaging northern Nigeria, where 17 million people face crisis-level hunger, according to a report by the United Nations' World Food Programme.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as an 'avoidable' food crisis in northern Nigeria. The crisis, which has been described as the worst in nearly a decade, affects 17 million people in nine conflict-affected states in the region. This is in addition to over 35 million Nigerians nationwide who risk slipping into hunger during the ongoing lean season.
'I am deeply troubled by the latest report from the UN's World Food Programme, indicating that northern Nigeria is experiencing its most severe hunger crisis in nearly a decade,' Obi said.
The former Anambra Governor attributed the crisis to two structural failures: insecurity and the inability of farmers to access their farmlands. Banditry and insurgency have turned agrarian communities into displacement zones, he said. Until the agricultural areas are secured, the future cannot be secured, the ex-Governor added.
According to the WFP report, over 10,000 residents of Borno State have entered catastrophic hunger conditions, representing immense human suffering and a profound national failure, Obi noted. Nigeria's ranking among the world's hungriest nations is inexcusable given its fertile and largely uncultivated land in the North, he added.
The WFP had earlier disclosed that the escalating conflict and dwindling humanitarian funding are pushing northern Nigeria into its worst hunger crisis in nearly a decade, with millions facing severe food insecurity.
The report said that more than 17 million people across nine conflict-affected states in northern Nigeria are experiencing crisis, emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger. This represents an increase of almost two million people since the previous projections.
The situation has been described as a result of poor leadership in the country. The people of the North have been affected disproportionately by the insecurity and farmers' inability to access their farmlands. Obi called on the Federal Government and state leaders to move beyond political rhetoric and make transparent, upfront investments in securing agricultural corridors and supporting smallholder farmers with accessible resources.
He also urged closer collaboration with the WFP to bridge the funding gaps before the crisis claims more lives, particularly those of children. The WFP report said that the humanitarian funding for northern Nigeria was severely underfunded, and the agency is worried that it may not be able to meet its obligations to the affected populations.
This is a major concern for the people of the North who are already struggling to survive.
The situation in northern Nigeria is a result of the country's poor leadership and lack of investment in the agricultural sector. The people of the North deserve better than to be suffering from hunger and poverty while the country's leaders enjoy luxury and power.
The Federal Government and state leaders must take immediate action to address the crisis by securing agricultural corridors, supporting smallholder farmers, and increasing investment in the sector. They must also work with the WFP to bridge the funding gaps and ensure that the people affected by the crisis receive the support they need.