The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, had announced a nationwide spiritual intervention aimed at tackling the country’s deepening food crisis.
However, just days before the initiative was set to commence, the ministry abruptly called it off without providing a clear explanation.
An internal memorandum, dated June 11, 2025, and seen by The Whistler, instructed all ministry personnel to observe a three-day prayer and fasting programme scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30. The notice, signed by Mrs. Adedayo Modupe, Director of Human Resource Management, called on staff to seek divine guidance for the ministry’s role in addressing the growing threat of food insecurity in the nation.
“This is to invite all staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and success in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve food security,” the circular read. The event, themed “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development,” was scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on the designated Mondays at the ministry’s Conference Hall B in Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
The directive was addressed to officials across all hierarchical levels from directors and deputy directors to assistant directors and value chain desk officers.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the programme was suspended indefinitely. When contacted by The Whistler, the ministry’s Acting Director of Information, Mr. Ezeaja Ikemefuna, confirmed the postponement, stating, “I am directed to inform all staff that the prayer sessions scheduled to commence on Monday have been postponed till further notice. All staff should kindly take note.” No reason was offered for the sudden reversal.
Background: A Nation in the Grip of Hunger
The now-shelved spiritual initiative comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with an intensifying food crisis. According to projections by the World Food Programme (WFP), approximately 33.1 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity by 2025. The WFP forecasts a dramatic rise in the number of individuals classified under Emergency (IPC Phase 4) food insecurity from one million in 2024 to a staggering 1.8 million in 2025, marking an 80% increase.
Although no areas are currently expected to fall under the Catastrophe (Phase 5) classification, the anticipated spike in Phase 4 conditions underscores the severity of the food emergency, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
WFP’s Country Director for Nigeria, David Stevenson, emphasized the centrality of restoring peace in the northeast, which has remained a flashpoint since 2018. “Re-establishing stability in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states is essential if we are to unlock the region’s agricultural potential and support national food production,” he noted.
Malnutrition Crisis Looms
The crisis extends beyond hunger to life-threatening malnutrition, especially among vulnerable groups. The WFP and UNICEF have raised the alarm that 5.4 million children and 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in at least six states such as Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara face critical nutritional risks.
Of particular concern are the 1.8 million children projected to suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), a condition that requires urgent medical nutrition therapy to prevent long-term developmental damage or death.
“Children lie at the heart of this crisis,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF’s Country Representative in Nigeria. “The physical and cognitive consequences of hunger are often irreversible. It is our collective responsibility to ensure every child’s right to adequate nutrition is protected.”
Global Agencies Call for Sustainable Solutions
Meanwhile, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reiterated its support for Nigeria’s food security goals. FAO’s representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, pledged the organization’s commitment to developing sustainable, long-term interventions aimed at reversing the country’s agricultural decline and strengthening resilience against future shocks.
As the government scrambles for solutions—spiritual or policy-driven—many Nigerians continue to suffer the harsh reality of empty plates and uncertainty. The suspension of the prayer initiative, though minor in practical terms, symbolizes a broader national struggle: one that blends governance, faith, and survival.
Post a Comment