By Kelvin Onyekachukwu, Asaba
DELTA: A coalition of Nigerian farmers has raised an urgent alarm over the worsening food crisis and youth unemployment across the country, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to national unity and security if immediate intervention is not taken.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), in a letter jointly issued with the Global Movement Against Hunger and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, and other key national leaders, expressed deep concern over growing economic hardship, especially in rural communities. The petition, dated April 22, 2025, was also sent to former heads of state, the Senate, and traditional rulers.
Elder Eugene Jacob, National Chairman of AFAN, cautioned that hunger and hopelessness were pushing many young Nigerians into criminal activities and creating fertile ground for secessionist movements.
“Nigeria is on the brink. Hunger is already ravaging the land. If urgent steps are not taken, many Nigerians will be left with no option but to resort to crime or join radical groups advocating for breakaway republics like Biafra, Niger Delta, or Oduduwa,” Jacob stated.
He lamented the worsening insecurity, especially in farming communities, noting that many rural areas have become unsafe due to the rise in banditry, kidnapping, and theft, crimes often driven by poverty and desperation.
According to Jacob, despite training hundreds of young Nigerians in modern agricultural practices in collaboration with SMEDAN and international agencies, most of them are idle because government-approved funds have not been disbursed to support their agribusiness ventures.
“These youths are ready to work. They want to farm, create jobs, and contribute to the economy, but they’ve been abandoned. The delay in releasing agricultural intervention funds is worsening the crisis,” he said.
AFAN called on the CBN and NIRSAL to immediately release funds earmarked for certified cooperatives, youth clusters, and women farmers, stressing that agriculture is a key pillar for economic recovery, peace, and national development.
“Food security is not just an economic issue, it is a matter of national security. Without food, there can be no peace,” Jacob declared.
The association also appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State to collaborate with farmers’ groups to tackle food shortages, joblessness, and insecurity in the state. It urged the formation of joint security teams to protect rural farming zones from criminal activities.
“There’s no better time than now for the Delta State Government to invest in structured agricultural initiatives. Delta has fertile land and an energetic youth population that can drive food production and boost exports,” the farmers stated.
Jacob concluded with a stark warning, “The solution to Nigeria’s problems lies in the hands of Nigerians. The government must prioritize food security now or risk watching the country descend into irreversible chaos.”
Photo credit: worldbank.org