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The US approves $32.5m in humanitarian aid to Nigeria to fight hunger. Experts warn that Nigeria must prioritize citizens’ welfare and address food insecurity.
Eche Munonye
The United States government has approved $32.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria to help address rising food insecurity and malnutrition. The funding will support vulnerable groups, including women and children, who face the worst consequences of Nigeria’s hunger crisis.
While this intervention is commendable, it also highlights a troubling reality: Africa’s largest economy continues to depend on external aid to feed its people.
“Hunger in Nigeria should not be a recurring headline in global news; it should be an affront that stirs decisive action.”
Nigeria’s Hunger Crisis: A National Shame
According to the World Food Programme and UNICEF:
- Over 26 million Nigerians are projected to face acute hunger by 2025.
- More than 2 million children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition each year.
- Food inflation in Nigeria has surged above 30%, making staples unaffordable for many families.
This crisis stems from insecurity, poor investment in agriculture, climate shocks, and governance failures. The haunting images of malnourished children are not just humanitarian tragedies—they are indictments of leadership priorities.
Commending US Humanitarian Assistance
The United States has consistently been one of Nigeria’s largest humanitarian partners. This new $32.5m hunger relief package reaffirms America’s commitment to global solidarity and to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.
This assistance will support treatment centers for malnourished children, food distribution for displaced families, and nutrition programs in high-risk communities.
“Charity from abroad cannot replace responsibility at home.”
Foreign Aid: Lifeline or Long-Term Crutch?
While foreign aid provides short-term relief, it is not a sustainable solution. Humanitarian aid is a bandage, not a cure. Nigeria risks becoming dependent on external donors while neglecting its own capacity to ensure food security.
The fundamental question remains: How long will the world continue to feed Nigeria, while its leaders squander opportunities to feed their own people?
Nigeria Must Take Responsibility
For Nigeria to reduce hunger and malnutrition, government must act decisively. Solutions include:
1. Reposition Agriculture as a National Priority
- Invest in irrigation, mechanized farming, and modern storage facilities.
- Provide credit, security, and access to technology for smallholder farmers.
2. Secure Rural Communities
- Farmers must have safe access to their fields without the threat of banditry and insurgency.
3. Expand Nutrition and Social Programs
- Scale up school feeding schemes and nutrition support for displaced persons.
- Target children and pregnant women with direct nutrition programs.
4. Stabilize Food Prices
- Replace inconsistent import bans with stable fiscal and monetary policies.
5. Ensure Accountability
- Corruption drains resources meant for the poor. Transparency and oversight are crucial to ending hunger.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Hunger in Nigeria
The Nigerian private sector must step up. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should go beyond philanthropy to practical, sustainable interventions that align with SDG 2: Zero Hunger.
Businesses can:
- Support local farmers with seeds, fertilizer, and training.
- Partner with NGOs to operate community food banks.
- Fund school meal programs in vulnerable communities.
- Leverage innovation to improve food distribution and storage.
“CSR should not be tokenistic—it must be sustainability in practice.”
Quick Facts: Nigeria’s Hunger Crisis
- 26 million Nigerians at risk of acute hunger by 2025.
- 2 million children under five suffer from severe malnutrition yearly.
- Food inflation above 30% in 2025.
- $32.5 million US aid approved to address hunger in Nigeria.
A Wake-Up Call for Nigeria
The AP image of a Nigerian mother cradling her malnourished child at a treatment center is more than a photograph—it is a wake-up call. It reflects not only the desperation of millions but also the negligence of leadership that has failed to make citizens’ welfare the cornerstone of governance.
Conclusion: From Gratitude to Responsibility
Nigeria must thank the United States for its $32.5 million assistance. But gratitude is not enough. Nigeria must build systems that make foreign food aid unnecessary. Hunger is not destiny—it is the result of policy failure.
History will not remember how much aid Nigeria received, but how boldly it confronted its own crises. The hunger crisis is a national shame—and ending it is a moral and political obligation.