The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently address rising hunger and poverty by harmonising the numerous poverty reduction programmes currently being implemented across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Yobe State lawmaker, Mrs. Khadija Bukar-Ibrahim, during plenary on Thursday.
Lawmakers expressed concern over recent estimates indicating that about 139 million Nigerians—roughly 61 per cent of the population—are living below the national poverty line, with projections suggesting the figure could rise to 141 million by 2026 due to inflation and weak economic growth. They also cited United Nations World Food Programme projections that up to 35 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity in 2026, the highest figure on the African continent.
Presenting the motion, Bukar-Ibrahim warned that millions of Nigerians can no longer afford basic food items and essential services, worsening food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among women, children, the elderly and internally displaced persons.
She noted that the North-East region has been disproportionately affected, explaining that years of insurgency led to mass displacement, destruction of farmlands and loss of productive assets, severely disrupting farming activities. Although security conditions have improved, she said many farmers remain unable to return fully to agriculture due to lack of access to inputs, financing, irrigation, storage facilities, extension services and rural infrastructure.
According to her, failure to reintegrate displaced farmers into agricultural recovery and food security programmes will deepen poverty and dependency, with negative consequences for national food sufficiency, economic stability and peace-building efforts.
Following deliberations, the House urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to strengthen and harmonise all national poverty reduction, food security and post-conflict agricultural recovery initiatives, with particular attention to agrarian communities affected by insecurity.
It also mandated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, working with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, to ensure that farmers in the North-East are fully integrated into existing programmes through timely access to farm inputs, credit, mechanisation, irrigation, storage and value-chain development.
In addition, relevant House committees were directed to intensify oversight of poverty alleviation, food security and agricultural recovery interventions, especially in conflict-affected areas, and report back for further legislative action.
Lawmakers stressed that coordinated action, compassion for the vulnerable and responsible stewardship of public resources remain essential if the nation is to confront hunger, restore livelihoods and uphold justice for all citizens.
