Akpabio Sounds Alarm: Hunger Threatens 33 Million Nigerians, Demands Urgent Action

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has warned that more than 33 million Nigerians are facing acute food insecurity, calling for urgent and coordinated policy action to tackle the worsening hunger crisis across the country.

Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary as the Senate resumed from recess, Akpabio said hunger had become one of the most pressing challenges confronting the nation, stressing that it could not be solved through rhetoric or empty promises.

“Hunger cannot be defeated with words. Hunger requires policy direction, diligent budgeting, and willpower to defeat it,” he declared.

The Senate President urged lawmakers to align with the executive arm in formulating robust agricultural and economic policies aimed at boosting food production, stabilizing prices, and improving rural infrastructure.

Akpabio also called for increased funding for irrigation, mechanised farming, and food storage facilities, noting that climate change, insecurity, and inflation have worsened the plight of millions of households.

He emphasized that addressing hunger must be treated as a national emergency, warning that continued inaction could deepen poverty and social unrest.

The Senate’s renewed focus on food security follows recent warnings by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UN agencies, which projected that over 33 million Nigerians could face acute hunger between late 2025 and early 2026 if urgent measures are not implemented.

Akpabio’s remarks have drawn attention from across the political spectrum, with many lawmakers expressing support for his call to turn legislative attention toward agriculture and food sufficiency as top priorities in the months ahead.