Amid worsening food insecurity, the Federal Government of Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced a three-day national prayer and fasting initiative seeking divine intervention. The directive, however, was abruptly suspended just days before it was scheduled to begin.
Call for Divine Intervention
The announcement came via an internal memo dated June 11, 2025, from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The circular, signed by the Director of Human Resource Management, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe, urged staff to observe fasting and attend prayer sessions on June 16, 23, and 30.
Theme: Divine Intervention for Protection and National Developmentok
The sessions were scheduled for 12:00 PM at Conference Hall B of the ministry’s headquarters in Area 11, Abuja. All ministry personnel including directors, assistant directors, and value chain officers were invited to participate in the spiritual exercise.
Abrupt Suspension Raises Questions
Surprisingly, just days before the initiative’s commencement, the Ministry reversed its decision.
A follow-up circular stated:
“I am directed to inform all staff that the prayer sessions scheduled to commence on Monday have been postponed till further notice. All staff should kindly take note.”
When contacted by The Whistler, the Acting Director of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, confirmed the suspension but gave no specific reason for the decision.
Mounting Food Crisis in Nigeria
The call for divine help reflects the gravity of Nigeria’s growing food insecurity. A 2025 forecast from the World Food Programme (WFP) reveals:
33.1 million Nigerians may face food insecurity by the end of the year.
Those in emergency-level hunger (IPC Phase 4) are projected to grow by 80%, rising from 1 million in 2024 to 1.8 million in 2025.
No regions are currently at catastrophic hunger (Phase 5), but the outlook remains dire.
Children and Mothers at Risk
UNICEF warns of a looming malnutrition crisis:
5.4 million children and 800,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women are at high risk across six states, including Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara.
1.8 million children could suffer Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) requiring urgent medical nutrition therapy.
“Children are at the center of the food insecurity crisis and face irreversible physical and cognitive damage,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Country Representative.
Security Challenges Deepen the Crisis
In Nigeria’s northeast particularly Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa years of conflict and insecurity have devastated farming communities.
“Restoring peace is essential to unlock the region’s agricultural potential,” said David Stevenson, WFP Country Director in Nigeria.
Calls for Sustainable Solutions
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stressed the importance of long-term strategies. FAO’s representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting lasting agricultural and food policy reforms.
Final Thoughts
While spiritual support may offer hope, Nigeria’s hunger crisis demands immediate, practical, and scalable solutions. As food insecurity tightens its grip on millions, global and local actors must prioritize peace, agricultural reform, and emergency nutrition programs—especially for the most vulnerable: children and women.
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