Obi pledges to declare hunger a national emergency
By Mercy Ajekigbe
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has declared hunger a national emergency in Nigeria, reaffirming his party’s commitment to curb food insecurity.
Obi made this known in a post on his verified X account on Friday, October 16, as the world marked its World Food Day.
Reflecting on his recent engagement with rural women farmers on International Rural Women’s Day, Obi said the experience made him realize the severity of food insecurity in the country.
He lamented that hunger, poverty and insecurity continue to affect millions of Nigerian families, describing the situation as a painful reality that demands urgent intervention.
According to Obi, Nigeria ranks 117th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index, down from 109th in 2023, when the current administration came into office.
He also cited estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicating that approximately 36 million Nigerians would face acute hunger in 2026.
“Nigeria is now one of the hungriest countries in the world, ranking 117th out of 125, down from 109th out of 125 in 2023, when the current administration came into office. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that about 36 million Nigerians will face acute hunger this year,” he said.
The NDC presidential candidate added that the situation was particularly painful, given the vast expanses of arable and fertile land in the country.
He further argued that 60% of the country’s land remains uncultivated, with some areas turned into hideouts for terrorist groups and other non-state actors.
Obi also highlighted the role insecurity has played in the hunger level, noting how farmers’ inability to access their farmlands safely has impacted the price and quantity of food produced.
“What became clear to me is that hunger in the country must be declared a national emergency. On World Food Day, the message is clear: Nigerians deserve a country where no family goes to bed hungry, farmers can work without fear, and poverty and insecurity are confronted with urgency and compassion,” he stated.
Reaffirming his party’s commitment to tackling hunger, Obi pledged that an NDC-led government would prioritise national security, restore farmers’ access to their farmlands and provide financial and material support to boost agricultural production.
“The fight against hunger must be treated as a national emergency. Under our leadership, we will secure the country and return our hardworking farmers to their farms. They will receive targeted grants, subsidies, and other forms of support.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry and every farmer can work in peace and dignity. A New Nigeria is possible,” he wrote.
