Following the tragic deaths of over 60 individuals in food distribution stampedes across Nigeria, the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the agricultural sector.
The organization also urged that substantial provisions for agriculture be included in the 2025 national budget.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, Executive Director of PAPSD, highlighted that Nigeria’s abundant agricultural resources should ensure there are no food shortages or widespread hunger. He pointed out that with over 36 million hectares of arable land, the country should be self-sufficient in food production. Shinkafi called on all levels of government to focus on boosting agriculture as a strategy to address poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, in line with the constitutional mandate to prioritize the welfare and security of the people.
The recent stampedes, which resulted in multiple fatalities, underscored the severity of food insecurity in Nigeria. PAPSD stressed the need for the government to urgently address hunger and improve the living standards of the population. The organization argued that the tragic events at food distribution points were a stark reminder of the country’s deep-rooted food crisis.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent proposal of ₦826.5 billion for agriculture in the 2025 national budget represents a more than 100% increase compared to previous years. This allocation is aimed at improving food production, enhancing security, and reducing the nation’s reliance on food imports. The government has stated that food security is a critical priority, with plans to increase domestic food production and ensure that all Nigerians have access to adequate food.
The Director General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, clarified that the ₦826.5 billion would be used to fund agricultural mechanization, irrigation projects, and value-chain development. These efforts are intended to boost food production, support rural development, and reduce reliance on imported food products.
Despite these planned initiatives, the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija in Anambra State exposed the ongoing challenges of food distribution and accessibility. PAPSD expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called on the government to improve critical infrastructure, including transport routes for moving farm produce, and to address inflation, which stands at 34.6%, the highest in three decades.
PAPSD also urged that security forces be deployed to ensure safety at food distribution centers to prevent future tragedies. The organization emphasized the need for timely coordination between authorities and food distribution organizers to prevent similar incidents.
Additionally, the group called for more support for farmers, including the recruitment of extension workers, the provision of accessible and affordable credit schemes, and the introduction of modern machinery to boost agricultural productivity.
As the new year approaches, PAPSD stressed the urgency of taking concrete action to address the country’s food insecurity and improve the lives of Nigerian citizens. The organization concluded by calling for effective governance that would deliver the promised benefits of democracy and alleviate the hardships faced by the population.
“With over 36 million hectares of arable land in Nigeria, there ought not to be food shortage, hunger, starvation and disease.
“Governments at all levels should be committed to boosting agriculture, curb poverty, unemployment and insecurity in tandem with the provision of Section 14( 2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Unfortunately, the deaths from the food distribution stampedes have shown to the world that there is acute hunger and starvation in the country.
It has become necessary for various governments to quickly address food insecurity in the country and bolster citizens’ standards of living, ” according to the statement.
