Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the United Nations’ warning of a deepening food crisis in Northern Nigeria, urging governments at all levels to take urgent action to avert a humanitarian disaster.
In a post on his X account on Saturday, Obi described the situation as alarming, noting that the northern region has traditionally served as Nigeria’s food basket.
He called for more effective policy implementation to address the growing crisis, urging both the Federal Government and state governments to invest in securing agricultural corridors and provide smallholder farmers with the resources needed to boost food production.
Obi also appealed to governments to strengthen collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other development partners to close critical funding gaps before the situation deteriorates further.
Citing the WFP’s latest assessment, he said more than 17 million people across nine northern states are currently facing crisis-level hunger, while over 35 million Nigerians could experience food insecurity during the ongoing lean season.
He further noted that more than 10,000 residents of Borno State have reportedly entered what humanitarian agencies describe as “catastrophic hunger conditions.”
According to Obi, persistent insecurity, including banditry and insurgency, has prevented many farmers from accessing their farmlands, significantly affecting agricultural production across the region.
He called for improved security in farming communities, increased investment in rural infrastructure, and policies that promote agricultural productivity and expand cultivated land.
Obi maintained that Nigeria has the resources and agricultural potential to significantly reduce hunger and poverty if leaders prioritise production-driven economic policies and place the welfare and livelihoods of citizens at the centre of governance.
