Declare Hunger a National Emergency, Obi Tells FG, Raises Alarm over Nigeria’s Worsening Hunger Crisis

Declaring hunger a national emergency would signal that the government considers widespread hunger an urgent national priority. It would require coordinated action across security, farming, social support and public policy. The article presents Obi’s request as a response to worsening hunger affecting millions of families.

Obi made the call in an X post during World Food Day. He cited a Food and Agriculture Organisation estimate that about 36 million Nigerians would face acute hunger this year. He also said farmers need targeted grants, subsidies and other support to increase production.

The request comes as Nigeria ranked 117th out of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index. Obi linked hunger with poverty and insecurity, while noting that much of Nigeria’s arable land remains uncultivated. If adopted, his proposed approach would combine safer farming conditions with financial help for farmers.

Declaring hunger a national emergency means formally treating widespread food insecurity as an urgent crisis requiring exceptional attention. It can bring ministries, security agencies and public programmes together around clear goals. The purpose is to reduce hunger quickly while addressing its causes, such as unsafe farming conditions and weak agricultural production.

In this case, Peter Obi wants the federal government to respond because the FAO estimates that about 36 million Nigerians may face acute hunger. His suggested measures include security for farmers, targeted grants, subsidies and other support. These measures connect immediate relief with increased food production.

The article does not describe a specific legal procedure or emergency package. It does show why Obi believes urgent action is needed: Nigeria ranked 117th out of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index, while hunger, poverty and insecurity continue affecting millions of families.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that about 36 million Nigerians will face acute hunger this year. That figure shows the crisis is expected to affect a very large share of the population, rather than being limited to isolated communities. It helps explain why Peter Obi called for hunger to be treated as a national emergency.

Obi cited Nigeria’s 2026 Global Hunger Index position while comparing it with the country’s 109th-place ranking in 2023. The article clarifies that the correct 2026 ranking was 117th out of 122 countries. Although 136 countries were assessed, only 122 had enough data to receive hunger scores and rankings.

Nigeria’s position therefore indicates a serious hunger challenge among countries with comparable calculated scores. The ranking also shows a deterioration from 2023. Together, the projected hunger figure and the index position underline the urgency of improving security, farm access and agricultural support.

The Global Hunger Index is a research-based comparison of hunger levels across countries. It combines indicators related to inadequate food, child nutrition and child mortality to produce a country score. The ranking then places countries from stronger to weaker hunger outcomes, helping show how severe hunger is compared with other countries.

Nigeria’s 2026 result illustrates why the data count matters. The article says Nigeria ranked 117th out of 122 countries with enough information to calculate scores and rankings. It also explains that 136 countries were assessed overall, but 14 lacked sufficient data for a calculated ranking.

Nigeria’s ranking does not mean that exactly 116 countries have less hunger in every respect. It is a comparative position within the ranked group. The article also reports that Nigeria stood 109th in 2023, suggesting a worse relative position in the later index.

Large areas of arable land create potential food production, but they do not guarantee food security. Land must be cultivated, farmers must reach it safely, and crops must be produced and moved to consumers. Conflict, insecurity, limited support or poor access can leave productive land unused.

Peter Obi said about 60 percent of Nigeria’s arable land remained uncultivated. He also said the unused areas provided hideouts for non-state actors. This links land access and security directly: when farmers cannot work safely, fields may stay idle, reducing the amount of food produced.

The result can be hunger despite strong agricultural potential. The article says millions of families still face hunger, poverty and insecurity. Obi proposed better security and targeted grants, subsidies and other support so farmers could return to their farms and work in peace and dignity.

Safe access to farmland is a basic link in the food chain. When insecurity keeps farmers away, fields may be planted late, harvested poorly or left unused. Lower production can reduce supplies in local markets. If demand remains high while food becomes scarcer, prices commonly rise.

The article connects this risk to Nigeria’s conditions. Obi said farmers must be able to return to their farms and work in peace and dignity. He also said about 60 percent of arable land remained uncultivated and that hunger, poverty and insecurity affected millions of families. These facts show how security problems can disrupt production.

The household effect is straightforward: higher food costs absorb more income. Families may buy less food or cut spending on other essentials. The article does not provide price figures, but it supports a response combining security with grants, subsidies and other farmer support to increase production.

Food security exists when people reliably have physical and economic access to enough safe, nutritious food. It depends on supply, affordability and continuity. Security matters because farmers need to reach fields, protect crops and harvest them. Agricultural support matters because inputs and finance can help production. Farmland matters because food cannot be grown where land is unavailable or unused.

Nigeria’s situation shows these links. Obi said about 60 percent of arable land remained uncultivated, while non-state actors used some areas as hideouts. He proposed security, targeted grants, subsidies and other support. Together, those measures aim to make farming possible and increase the food supply.

The article reports that about 36 million Nigerians may face acute hunger this year. It also describes continuing poverty and insecurity. Improving food security therefore requires more than land alone. Farmers must be able to work safely, receive practical support and bring their production to people who need food.