Obi made the call in a statement on Friday, October 16, to mark World Food Day 2026, arguing that the country’s worsening hunger crisis had become too severe to be treated as an ordinary economic challenge.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over Nigeria’s reported position on the Global Hunger Index, saying the country ranked 117th out of 125 countries, compared with 109th in 2023.
He also cited estimates that approximately 36 million Nigerians could face acute hunger in 2026, describing the situation as a major national challenge requiring urgent government intervention.
“Today, as the world marks World Food Day, Nigerians are confronting a painful reality: hunger, poverty, and insecurity continue to affect millions of families across the country,” Obi said.
He argued that the situation was particularly troubling given Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential and availability of fertile land capable of supporting large-scale food production.
According to Obi, an estimated 60 per cent of the country’s arable land remains uncultivated, a situation he linked partly to insecurity in farming communities.
He warned that the failure to cultivate available agricultural land not only limits domestic food production but could also leave some rural areas vulnerable to exploitation by terrorists and other non-state actors.
“Nigeria is now one of the hungriest countries in the world, ranking 117th out of 125, down from 109th out of 125 in 2023, when the current administration came into office,” he said.
“The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that about 36 million Nigerians will face acute hunger this year.
“The tragedy is even more painful because Nigeria has vast, arable, and fertile land. Yet about 60% remains uncultivated, providing forest hideouts for terrorist organisations and other non-state actors.”
Obi maintained that hunger could not be tackled effectively without addressing insecurity, which has disrupted farming activities in several parts of the country.
He said farmers needed to be able to access their farms without fear of attacks, kidnapping, displacement or destruction of their livelihoods.
The NDC presidential candidate therefore urged the Federal Government to elevate the fight against hunger to the level of a national emergency and adopt a coordinated response that prioritises agricultural production, rural security and support for farmers.
“The fight against hunger must be treated as a national emergency,” he said.
Obi also outlined what he said would be the priorities of his administration if elected president in 2027, promising to improve security in farming communities and provide targeted grants, subsidies and other forms of assistance to agricultural producers.
“Under our leadership, we will secure the country and return our hardworking farmers to their farms. They will receive targeted grants, subsidies, and other forms of support,” he added.
Government Reports Growth in Agricultural Sector
Obi’s remarks came as Nigeria joined other countries in commemorating World Food Day 2026 under the theme, “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow.”
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has said the government is implementing programmes intended to increase food production, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen agricultural value chains.
According to figures cited by the ministry, the agricultural sector grew by 4.39 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while crop production expanded by 3.66 per cent.
The ministry also reported that its agricultural programmes had supported smallholder farmers in producing 2.5 million metric tonnes of staple foods over four farming seasons.
However, the reported growth in agricultural output comes amid continuing concerns about the affordability and accessibility of food for millions of households.
The World Food Programme has estimated that approximately 35 million people in Nigeria face acute food insecurity, with conflict, climate shocks, displacement and weakened local food systems contributing to the crisis.
The figures cited by Obi and those attributed to the World Food Programme reflect different estimates, but both point to the scale of Nigeria’s food security challenge.
Obi Calls for Security and Support for Farmers
Obi said the government must ensure that improvements in agricultural production translate into affordable food for ordinary Nigerians.
He stressed that securing farming communities, supporting agricultural producers and restoring confidence in rural areas were essential to tackling hunger sustainably.
He also called for a national approach that would enable farmers to cultivate their land safely while improving access to the resources needed to increase production.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where no one goes to bed hungry and every farmer can work in peace and dignity. A new Nigeria is possible. Nigeria will be OK,” Obi said.
His statement places food security among the issues likely to feature prominently in political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election, as competing parties present their proposals for addressing the cost of living, agricultural productivity and insecurity.
