Obi blames leadership, insecurity for rising hunger in Northern Nigeria

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the worsening food crisis in northern Nigeria, describing it as an avoidable tragedy caused by poor leadership and persistent insecurity.

In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, Obi reacted to a recent report by the United Nations’ World Food Programme, which revealed that more than 17 million people across nine northern states are experiencing crisis-level hunger. The report also warned that over 35 million Nigerians could face severe food shortages during the current lean season.

Obi said the development was particularly alarming because northern Nigeria remains the country’s major food-producing region. According to him, the situation reflects years of governance failures that have prevented the country from fully utilising its vast agricultural potential.

He noted that more than 10,000 residents of Borno State have already entered what humanitarian agencies classify as “catastrophic” hunger conditions, describing the situation as both a humanitarian disaster and a national failure.

The former Anambra State governor attributed the crisis largely to insecurity, saying farmers have been forced to abandon their farmlands due to repeated attacks by bandits and insurgents. He argued that many once-thriving farming communities have become displacement camps, making food production increasingly difficult.

Obi stressed that restoring security to agricultural communities was essential to addressing the nation’s food insecurity. He maintained that without guaranteeing farmers safe access to their lands, efforts to boost food production would remain ineffective.

He urged the Federal Government and state governments to move beyond political promises by making transparent investments in securing agricultural corridors and providing smallholder farmers with the resources needed to increase production.

Obi also called for stronger collaboration with the World Food Programme to close funding gaps and expand humanitarian assistance, warning that failure to act swiftly could expose millions more Nigerians, especially children, to severe hunger and malnutrition.