ABUJA – Amid Nigeria’s escalating hunger crisis, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the government’s reliance on short-term solutions, such as grain distribution, which he argues are insufficient to address the underlying issues.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Atiku called for a more comprehensive approach to tackle the food crisis, emphasizing that temporary measures fail to address the root causes of food insecurity.
“The current hunger crisis affecting millions of Nigerians, with approximately 4.4 million children suffering according to the World Food Programme (WFP), is deeply troubling,” Atiku said. “Recent reports, including those by Madina Maishanu for BBC, vividly highlight the severe conditions faced by families in Katsina State.”
Atiku argued that while grain procurement may offer temporary relief, it does not provide a sustainable solution. He urged federal and state governments to focus on long-term strategies to stabilize food security. This includes addressing food inflation, improving security to ensure safe access to food, and stabilizing the foreign exchange rate.
“A comprehensive approach is necessary,” Atiku emphasized. “We need to strengthen security, invest in agricultural development, and support farmers to prevent further displacement of communities. The government of Katsina State should particularly heed expert advice and take actionable steps to support local agriculture.”
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with humanitarian organizations and the international community to mitigate the crisis and work towards a more secure future for all Nigerians.
“Short-term measures are not enough,” Atiku concluded. “We must implement holistic and sustainable strategies to effectively address the hunger crisis and ensure food security for every Nigerian.”