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Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, stating that severe hunger has become a widespread issue in many households across the country.
In a post shared on his X account to mark World Food Day, Obi expressed his dismay at the skyrocketing prices of food, making basic items unaffordable for many Nigerians. He noted that Nigeria now ranks among the top 20 most food-insecure nations globally.
Obi, who ran as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, commented, “This global observance is particularly significant to us in Nigeria, where food prices are rising daily, and basic food items are becoming unaffordable to most people. Severe hunger has now become an unfortunate member of many households in Nigeria—the once giant of Africa, a nation with the most arable land on the continent.”
He further expressed frustration over Nigeria’s food crisis, especially given the country’s vast fertile land. Obi pointed out that many Nigerian households are now spending nearly all their income on food, leaving little for other essential needs, and some can no longer afford basic sustenance.
Citing a World Bank Food Security Update, Obi drew a grim comparison between Nigeria’s food security challenges and those faced by war-torn nations like Yemen. He reiterated his long-held view that Nigeria must shift from being a consumer-driven economy to a production-based one to combat food insecurity and alleviate the crisis.
Obi highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s northern region, particularly states like Niger, which he said could become agricultural powerhouses with the right investment. He also noted the stark contrast between Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and that of the Netherlands, a much smaller country that exports over $100 billion worth of agricultural products annually.
“If we prioritise investment in agriculture by addressing the insecurity that has kept farmers away from their fields, and adopt modern mechanised farming techniques, we will be able to combat hunger and achieve food security. A productive nation, free from hunger, with an abundant food supply remains our vision for a new, more prosperous Nigeria,” Obi concluded.
