A recent United Nations report has revealed that 34 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger, a crisis that former Senator Shehu Sani attributes not to a lack of resources or climatic challenges, but to a profound failure of humanity, empathy, vision, and will among the nation’s leaders.
In a poignant statement shared on Friday, Sani, a prominent human rights activist and former lawmaker, decried the paradox of widespread hunger in a country blessed with vast natural wealth.
“Nigeria’s hunger is not about lack of resources or climatic factors; it’s about lack of humanity, empathy, vision, and will in the hearts of those who have been in custody of its resources,” Sani wrote.
He emphasized that a nation endowed with over 200 rivers and 95% arable land “should have no business with hunger,” pointing to systemic mismanagement as the root cause of the crisis.
The UN report, released earlier this week, revealed the severity of food insecurity in Nigeria, with 34 million people—roughly 15% of the population—facing acute hunger.
The figure represents a sharp increase from previous years, driven by rising inflation, insecurity disrupting agricultural activities, and inadequate policy responses.
Unlike poorer nations where hunger is often tied to environmental or resource constraints, Nigeria’s crisis stands out due to its abundant natural endowments, including fertile lands and extensive water resources.
The former senator’s statement also called for urgent action to address the crisis, urging leaders to prioritize investments in agriculture, rural infrastructure, and security to enable farmers to work without fear.
“A nation that cannot feed itself cannot claim to be free,” Sani added, challenging policymakers to act with the urgency the situation demands.
In response, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security issued a statement on Saturday, highlighting ongoing efforts to boost food production, including subsidies for farmers and irrigation projects.
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