Former presidential candidate and leader of the Obidient Movement, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of food security, arguing that despite major agricultural initiatives announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s hunger situation has continued to deteriorate.
In a statement shared on his X account on Thursday, Obi questioned the effectiveness of the administration’s agricultural interventions, including the declaration of a state of emergency on food security in July 2023 and the procurement of 2,000 tractors alongside 9,000 farming implements under what the government described as the country’s largest agricultural mechanisation programme.
According to Obi, the expected improvements in food availability and affordability have not materialised, citing recent global hunger data which indicate a worsening food security situation in Nigeria.
The former Anambra State governor noted that Nigeria ranked 103rd out of 123 countries in the 2022/2023 Global Hunger Index but has since dropped to 115th position out of 123 countries in the 2025 assessment, placing the country among nations facing serious hunger challenges.
Available reports show that Nigeria’s 2025 Global Hunger Index score was classified as “serious,” reflecting persistent concerns over undernourishment and child malnutrition. (Premium Times Nigeria)
Obi further referenced projections that more than 33 million Nigerians could face severe hunger and malnutrition if urgent measures are not implemented.
Similar warnings by humanitarian organisations and international agencies have projected that between 33 million and 35 million Nigerians could experience acute food insecurity during the 2026 lean season. (Premium Times Nigeria)
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He argued that Nigeria possesses vast agricultural potential, particularly in the northern region, and should not be counted among countries battling severe food insecurity.
“I have always maintained that Nigeria has no reason to be seen among the hungriest nations in the world when we have vast uncultivated land in the North, which is our greatest asset today,” Obi stated.
The former presidential candidate called for increased transparency and investment in agricultural production, insisting that a sustained focus on farming would not only guarantee food security but also create millions of jobs for Nigerians.
Obi’s remarks come amid growing concerns over rising food prices, insecurity affecting farming communities, climate-related challenges, and economic pressures that have continued to impact agricultural output and household purchasing power.
Recent assessments by the World Food Programme indicate that nearly 35 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity in 2026, with conflict, displacement, inflation, and climate shocks identified as key drivers of the crisis. (World Food Programme)
He concluded his statement with his familiar political message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”