Tinubu’s anti-poor policies cause of Nigeria’s hunger crisis – FFRC
By Dooyum Naadzenga
Nigeria’s inclusion in the latest Hunger Hotspots report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) has raised alarm among advocacy groups, who attribute the country’s worsening food insecurity to the harmful economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The FAO-WFP report identifies Nigeria as one of 13 critical hunger hotspots, alongside war-torn nations like Yemen and Sudan. This designation reflects a dire situation, with projections indicating a significant rise in acute food insecurity in the coming months.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain stated, “This report is a red alert… urgent, sustained investment in food assistance is crucial as the window to avert devastating hunger is closing fast.”
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The Food and Farmers’ Rights Campaigns (FFRC) criticized the Tinubu government for its austerity measures, including the removal of fuel subsidies, currency devaluation, and cuts to social funding. These policies, the FFRC argues, have driven basic food items out of reach for millions of Nigerians.
Adding to the crisis, recent UNICEF findings reveal that Nigeria has the second highest rate of stunted children in the world, with 32% of those under five affected. Approximately 2 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, yet only a fraction receive necessary treatment. Malnutrition is linked to 45% of deaths among children under five.
The ongoing violence in northern states has further exacerbated food insecurity. Farmers face threats from banditry and militant groups, causing many to flee their farms and abandon crops. Climate change-induced disasters are also impacting agricultural productivity.
The FFRC emphasizes that Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential—over 70 million hectares of arable land—should provide sufficient food for its population. However, the current crisis reflects a systemic failure of government policies that prioritize profit over the needs of the majority.
The organization demands an immediate reversal of Tinubu’s policies and calls for substantial investments in agriculture and social services to ensure food security for all Nigerians. They argue that only a government focused on the welfare of workers and the poor can effectively address the intertwined crises of hunger and insecurity in the nation.
