History has got a way of repeating itself in a cruel and uncanny way in a matter of time space, especially in Nigeria where the average citizen remains at the center of it all and at the receiving end of policy failures and aborted hopes. At the fading stage of Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979–1983), Umaru Dikko, then powerful Transport Minister blatantly claimed there was no real hunger in the land as no one was yet ‘eating from the dustbin’. He was head of the Presidential Task Force on Rice and in spite of the humongous chunk of the public expenditure dedicated for that assignment, the pervasive hunger in the land remained unmistakably palpable.
His notorious dismissal of the widespread food shortages, considered an assault on the collective sensibilities of Nigerians, sparked national outrage as it showed clear case of government disconnect with the people and the harsh realities on ground.
Those who thought that Nigeria was done and dusted with that era got stunned last week when the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, came up with a staunch defense of the economic policies of the President saying he does not personally observe the level of hardship and hunger frequently highlighted by critics of the administration. That was another clear case of how occupants of political offices can be insulated from the harsh realities of the day. That a spokesman of the President is sounding so arrogantly disconnected and far removed from the everyday reality of the people’s travails smacks of unhealthy state of citizens relationship and engagement. It also speaks volume concerning how political office holders in developing countries can be existing in a beaded cage of deluded grandeur. With the level of luxury at the presidency and the multi-billion Naira solar powered energy, how, for instance will the President and his aides come to grips with the reality of how the frequent failure of the national grid is putting the economy in a state of comatose.
The leadership is indeed far removed from the everyday realities the citizenry is grappling with.Onanuga’s comment has no doubt contributed to deepening the unpopular rating of the Tinubu administration. It eventually did not come as a surprise that the Chief of staff to the president Femi Gbajabiamila had to come up in a matter of hours with the plan of the Federal Government to review the minimum wage above the current 70 Thousand Naira. Wage increase may be considered good but it is a lot better to restore value and purchasing power to the national currency. Value of money is less of the figure or volume and more in its purchasing power in the market.
Nigerians have not stopped wondering what manner of feedback public officers of Onanuga’s disposition extend to their Principal if not grand deception and brazen falsehood. How possible is it for a public office occupant to be so completely detached from everyday reality of life struggles of the people he is expected to be representing?
Surveys carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, reveal that approximately 141 million Nigerians live in poverty, representing about 62% of the country’s population. Concurrently, nearly 35 million people face acute food insecurity and severe hunger. Many Nigerians running away from this gory situation are currently trapped in South Africa and even Ghana. This crisis is driven by rampant inflation, climate shocks, and ongoing conflicts forcing farmers from their lands.
At a time when Nations of the world are coming up with initiatives to encourage a 24 hour economy, Onanuga again missed the point when he canvassed that the solution to insecurity lies in citizens heeding the advice not to engage in night travels. That in some ways confirms Nigeria as being under a siege and the Federal Government becoming clueless on how to reverse the negative trend.
Speaking during an interview on Television, Onanuga argued that the Tinubu administration’s policies are already yielding tangible benefits for Nigerians, particularly through infrastructure development and road projects.
As a public communicator laundering the image of a poorly performing government running against the strands and current of public opinion, not many people familiar with the dynamics of credible public communication will envy the weight of task Mr Onanuga is expected to deliver on. The government he’s representing has not been known to be on the popular standing with the people especially as cost of living is on a steady spike and the borrowing spree on the part of the Federal Government remains unabated.
The presidential aide cited his recent experience travelling from Ibadan to Lagos as an example of the impact of government investments in infrastructure. That was at best a resort to fallacious allusions not central to the issue under review.
Questioning criticisms of the President Tinubu administration’s performance, Onanuga maintained that a number of infrastructure projects demonstrate the benefits of the government’s policies.
Back to the flashback to the Umaru Dikko’s denial and the ensuing public outrage. The context of the denial during the administration of President Shehu Shagari, is similar to what is happening in Nigeria of today where citizens face severe economic decline, hyperinflation, and massive food shortages. Dikko’s task force was created to import and distribute rice to alleviate the crisis. The more money that was channelled into the activities of the taskforce, the more pervasive the hunger in the land became. When challenged on the grim economic reality and widespread hunger, Dikko infamously declared that Nigerians were not yet starving because nobody had been reduced to eating scraps from garbage bins. The statement cemented his image as an out-of-touch, elitist politician, as citizens endured empty markets, inflated prices, and long queues for essential goods. Many accused his task force of hoarding supplies and inflating prices to enrich the then ruling party NPN and its cronies.
Decades later, similar sentiments have periodically resurfaced, such as when the presidency of Bola Tinubu drew comparisons by disputing the severity of citizens’ complaints regarding modern economic reforms and now, the last week denial by Onanuga of any trace of hunger in the land.
Nigeria is currently facing one of its worst hunger and food security crises in a decade, with the United Nations warning that up to 35 million Nigerians are at risk of acute food insecurity. Millions of citizens are experiencing severe malnutrition, with rural displacements, climate shocks, and staggering food inflation severely eroding household purchasing power.
The reality of the deepening hunger crisis is driven by several intersecting realities revolving around poor management of the nation’s resources and lack of vision in leadership.
The hunger crisis in Nigeria is no doubt a deepening challenge. That the Ononugas of this world are insulated from it is a mysterious confirmation of leadership insensitivity.
Market survey data on food price changes over the last 12 months shows a continuous price increase without any drops.
Many households in the country are therefore struggling daily to provide food for their families, especially given the current food inflation rate and the waning value of the Naira.
Ongoing conflicts, especially in northeastern Nigeria, has heightened the hunger situation. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has displaced millions of people. The conflict disrupts farming activities, reduces market access, and destroys infrastructure. Instead of abating, the conflict is escalating by the day with the government appearing so helpless.
Displaced people often end up in overcrowded camps with inadequate food supplies. The conflict in the middle belt, primarily between herders and farmers, has also led to loss of livelihoods and increased food insecurity.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have reported alarming levels of food insecurity in Nigeria.
According to a report by Cadre Harmonisé, a government-led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis, around 45 million Nigerians were at risk of acute food insecurity as of 2024, especially during the lean season. That situation has since grown worse.
The government must take more pragmatic steps to end the conflicts across Nigeria. This requires comprehensive peacebuilding efforts, addressing the root causes of insurgency, and ensuring security for displaced populations. If stability is restored in these areas, displaced people can return to their homes and resume farming activities.
The fact of the pervasive hunger in the land is there for all to see. Many have turned destitutes, many more have been displaced, families have lost hope on how and when the next meal will come. Going by the Dikko experience, Onanuga was expected to have known that in times like these, denying what is obvious about a people’s travails can attract some severe historic consequences. There indeed is hunger in the land!
