The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the worsening food insecurity in Northern Nigeria, describing the situation as “disheartening” and largely driven by poor leadership.
Obi was reacting to a warning by the United Nations World Food Programme, which said over 17 million people in Northern Nigeria are at risk of acute hunger.
He said the developing food crisis in Northern Nigeria is especially alarming because the region serves as the country’s primary food-producing area.
According to him, the scale of hunger now spreading across the region reflects deep governance failures that must be urgently addressed.
A statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Reach quoted him as saying that only poor and irresponsible leadership could allow a region described as Nigeria’s “food basket” to slide into such levels of food insecurity.
He warned that the situation would worsen unless leaders at both federal and state levels take urgent action, stressing the need for transparent investment in agriculture, improved security along farming corridors, and stronger collaboration with international partners like the World Food Programme.
Obi further noted that over 10,000 people in Borno State are already facing catastrophic hunger conditions, describing the development as a “profound national failure.”
He added that Nigeria’s vast arable land and resources should prevent it from ranking among the world’s most food-insecure nations, insisting that a reversal is possible if leadership prioritises citizens’ welfare over politics.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.