For many Nigerians, a simple trip to the market has become a nightmare. A bag of rice that once fed a family for weeks now costs more than some workers earn in a month.
Mothers haggle endlessly over garri, only to leave with half of what they planned to buy. Street food vendors, once the lifeline for low-income earners, now serve smaller portions while charging higher prices.
Hunger is no longer a silent whisper; it is a loud cry echoing across homes, schools, and workplaces.
Amid this reality, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has sounded a fresh warning to the Federal Government, stressing that the unchecked rise in food prices is no longer just an economic issue but a looming public health crisis.
The Hunger Alert
In a statement on Monday, the NUJ said millions of Nigerians are being forced into poor dietary choices that threaten long-term health.
The union noted that the escalating cost of essentials such as rice, beans, garri, cooking oil, and vegetables has stripped many households of the ability to provide balanced meals.
“The persistent increase in food prices is gradually pushing Nigerians towards malnutrition, hunger, and other diet-related health challenges,” the NUJ cautioned.
It further expressed concern that children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable, warning that the effects could manifest in widespread stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and chronic illnesses if not urgently addressed.
Call For Intervention
The NUJ urged the government to intervene decisively by stabilising food prices, improving agricultural support systems, and fixing supply chain inefficiencies. It also recommended targeted subsidies and palliative measures for low-income earners who are worst hit by inflation.
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“Food is not just about survival; it is about health and dignity,” the union emphasised. “Government must act swiftly to save Nigerians from a disaster that is already at our doorsteps.”
As markets continue to mirror the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, the NUJ’s warning serves as a grim reminder that hunger is no longer a distant fear but a present reality.
The question now is whether the government will treat food security as the national emergency it has become—or wait until the crisis consumes the health of an already battered population.
