PETER OBI TACKLES TINUBU OVER WORSENING HUNGER AS NIGERIA’S GLOBAL RANKING FALLS

October 18, 2026 • Dons Eze • 2 min read

Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised the Bola Tinubu-led government over the worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria, citing the country’s declining global hunger ranking and the millions of citizens expected to face acute food insecurity.

Obi raised the concerns in a statement marking World Food Day, in which he said hunger, poverty and insecurity continued to affect millions of Nigerian families.

He argued that the country needed urgent action to address the growing difficulties facing its citizens.

According to Obi, Nigeria ranked 117th out of 125 countries in the latest global hunger ranking cited in his statement, compared with 109th out of 125 in 2023, when the current administration came into office.

He also cited estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), saying about 36 million Nigerians would face acute hunger in 2026. The figure, he said, highlighted the scale of the country’s food crisis and the need for decisive measures to protect vulnerable households.

Obi expressed concern that Nigeria continued to struggle with hunger despite having vast areas of fertile land suitable for agriculture. He said the country had the potential to produce more food but was not making full use of its agricultural resources.

He attributed part of the problem to insecurity, noting that farmers in many areas face threats that prevent them from working safely. According to him, the situation has affected agricultural activities while leaving some fertile land uncultivated.

The former Anambra State governor said addressing hunger required more than statements of concern, urging a stronger response to insecurity and poverty.

He maintained that farmers needed the security and support required to return to their farms and increase food production.

Obi also called for targeted grants, subsidies and other forms of assistance for farmers, saying such measures would help hardworking agricultural producers and contribute to efforts to improve food availability across the country.

He urged Nigerians to treat the hunger crisis as a serious national concern, insisting that families should not have to go to bed hungry while farmers struggle to work in peace.

He said tackling hunger required urgent action, effective leadership and a commitment to ensuring food security.

Dons Eze

DONS EZE, PhD, Political Philosopher and Journalist of over four decades standing, worked in several newspaper houses across the country, and rose to the positions of Editor and General Manager. A UNESCO Fellow in Journalism, Dr. Dons Eze, a prolific writer and author of many books, attended several courses on Journalism and Communication in both Nigeria and overseas, including a Postgraduate Course on Journalism at Warsaw, Poland; Strategic Communication and Practical Communication Approach at RIPA International, London, the United Kingdom, among others.