Nigerian Senate Raises Alarm Over Hunger Crisis, Fears Unrest

 

Nigerian Senate Raises Alarm Over Hunger Crisis, Fears Unrest

The Nigerian Senate has engaged in an urgent debate on the alarming hunger and hardship facing citizens across the country, expressing fear of potential attacks and revolt from the hungry and angry populace.

The debate was triggered by a motion titled "Urgent Need to Address Food Insecurity and Market Exploitation of Consumables in Nigeria," sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi Steve (Kogi West) and co-sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume Mohammed (Borno South).

Key points from the Senate debate:

• Food inflation has skyrocketed to 40.66% year-on-year, a significant increase from 24.82% in May 2023.
• Prices of food items like beans, maize, rice, yam, tomatoes, and onions have increased by 100% to 300% without justification.
• Nigeria has been listed among African countries likely to face a food crisis for the first time.
• Over 32 million Nigerians are expected to face critical hunger crises between June and August 2024.
• Insecurity, particularly in the North Central, North West, and North East regions, has disrupted farming activities and contributed to food scarcity.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the calamity caused by herders' attacks on farmers, bandits, and Boko Haram insurgents over the past nine years. He stressed the urgent need for the government to address the situation, as Nigerians are losing patience with the hunger crisis.

The Senate's panic debate highlights the severity of the hunger situation in Nigeria and the potential for unrest if the government fails to take immediate action. Experts have warned that Nigerians are at risk of hunger, and solutions must be sought to avert a crisis