Addressing food insecurity: A matter of national security
Nigeria faces the threat of massive malnutrition, and experts warn that a crisis of this nature can have far-reaching consequences for national security. History has shown us that food insecurity can be a catalyst for ‘revolution’ and even the downfall of nations.
The French Revolution, for instance, was triggered by a food crisis, while the collapse of the USSR was attributed to economic hardship, including food shortages. Nigeria, already grappling with terrorism and banditry for over 15 years, cannot afford to add a food crisis to its list of challenges.
As the clock ticks closer to 2030, a looming crisis threatens to unleash havoc on our nation. The United Nations warns that a staggering 82 million Nigerians, a whopping 64 percent of our population, may face hunger by then. This is not a distant threat; it’s a stark reality that demands immediate attention.
Today, many Nigerians struggle to make ends meet as the cost of living skyrockets. Basic necessities like food, fuel, and electricity slip further out of reach daily thanks to inflation.
Really, the government must remember its constitutional obligation to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens. Learning from Kenya’s example, where protests against tax increases escalated into demands for better governance and the president’s resignation, the government cannot afford to wait until it’s too late. The time for pondering is over; the time for action is now. The government should prioritise food security, address climate change, and tackle threats to agricultural productivity. The future of our nation depends on it.
The Senate recently admonished the federal government to urgently address the food crisis and the issue of electricity tariff hikes to avoid an impending mass protest that may plunge the country into chaos. That rare rebuke from a ‘pliant’ Senate may have been influenced by recent happenings in Kenya, where violent protests by citizens against the government’s move to increase taxes evolved into demands for better governance and the resignation of President William Ruto.
While the government distributing 20 food trucks to each of the 36 states to assist nearly 163 million Nigerians facing multidimensional poverty is commendable, it represents only a fraction of what is needed to alleviate widespread hardship.
In addition to these measures, urgent action is required to address the unjustified increases in electricity tariffs, fuel prices, and the foreign exchange crisis, which are severely impacting the real sector and ordinary Nigerians.
It is important for the government, at all levels, to take concrete and genuine steps to tackle the food crisis and alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians. This requires more than mere promises; it demands effective solutions that will tangibly improve the lives of citizens.
An area of critical concern is inflation, which the National Bureau of Statistics reports at 34.19 percent, while other sources suggest it could be even higher. The government must act now to address these issues, or risk plunging the nation into chaos.
