From Renewed Hope To Shattered Hope: Nigeria’s Hunger Crisis Echoes Biblical Tale Of Cannibalism, by Isaac Asabor

In the current state of Nigeria’s economy, many are grappling with unprecedented levels of hunger. A glance at local markets reveals a grim reality; prices of basic foodstuffs have soared beyond the reach of the common man, making survival a daily battle. What is unfolding in Nigeria today eerily mirrors a moment of extreme desperation in the Bible when hunger drove people to horrific lengths, including cannibalism. The alarming conditions of today invite us to reflect on that biblical story, highlighting the urgency of Nigeria’s hunger crisis.

In the book of “2 Kings 6:24-30”, a severe famine struck Samaria after the city was besieged by the king of Aram. So devastating was the hunger that two women made an unthinkable agreement, to cook and eat their children to survive. The first woman sacrificed her son, but when it was time for the second, she hid hers. This gruesome act, born from the depths of despair, prompted the king of Israel to tear his clothes in mourning upon hearing the cries of one of the women: “So we boiled my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him.” (2 Kings 6:29)

The extremity of this situation, with people resorting to cannibalism as a last resort, mirrors the distress many Nigerians are facing today. The story from Samaria paints a bleak picture of what hunger can drive people to do, revealing that when all hope is lost, even the most unimaginable actions seem justifiable.

While Nigeria has not reached the point of such catastrophic human behavior, the country is witnessing a hunger crisis that is intensifying by the day. Promises from the government during election campaigns, especially regarding food security and subsidies, now seem like distant dreams. Many Nigerians recall the assurances that cassava, ewa (beans), and agbado (corn) would be cheap once a new government was voted in. However, the paradoxical reality is that even these staple foods have become luxuries for many.

Market women, such as mummy Deborah from Lagos, express the frustration of millions of Nigerians. “Shebidem tell us say cassava, ewa, and agbado go cheap when we vote for them. Today, we no fit buy dem for market,” she lamented. Her cry is echoed across the country, as inflation spirals and salaries remain inadequate, leaving millions unable to afford even a simple meal.

The prevailing situation has left many households with no alternative but to reduce their meal portions, skip meals entirely, or rely on charitable handouts. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that food inflation surged to over 25%, the highest in nearly two decades. Basic staples such as rice, yam, and bread have seen their prices double or triple in some areas. Parents watch helplessly as their children cry from hunger, while once-vibrant markets are now ghostly, with food items sitting on shelves, too expensive for most to buy.

According to a recent report by the World Bank, over 70 million Nigerians are now living below the poverty line. This dire situation is exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies, which has significantly increased transportation costs and pushed food prices even higher. Across Nigeria, families are being forced into deeper poverty, with little hope in sight.

The knock-on effects of hunger are visible everywhere. School attendance is dropping as parents can no longer afford the transportation or meals to send their children to school. Health issues are rising as malnutrition, especially among children, becomes rampant. As hunger intensifies, so too does the sense of helplessness, and in some cases, hopelessness, in the population.

In response to the growing hunger crisis, the Nigerian government has introduced various palliative measures, distributing rice and other relief materials. Recently, the government announced a N5 billion palliative fund for each state to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal, with the goal of distributing food to the most vulnerable citizens. However, these efforts have proven inadequate, as corruption and mismanagement continue to plague the distribution process.

Many Nigerians have expressed their frustration over the unequal distribution of these palliatives, with some regions receiving more aid than others. In many areas, these relief materials are reportedly intercepted by corrupt officials or sold in black markets rather than reaching the people they were intended for. The question remains: Is this enough to prevent an impending catastrophe?

Additionally, the government’s decision to provide cash transfers of N8,000 to vulnerable households as part of its palliative measures has been met with widespread criticism. Vice President Kashim Shettima’s statement that “N8,000 can change the life of a youth who knows what he is doing”* was viewed as deeply insensitive, given the current economic realities. In a country where the cost of basic food items exceeds this amount, many believe this intervention will have little to no impact.

The situation calls for not just temporary relief but long-term solutions that address the root causes of the food crisis. As in the Bible, when hunger turns desperate, people may resort to measures they would never have considered before. Without urgent intervention, Nigeria risks seeing further social unrest and public outrage, as citizens feel increasingly abandoned by those in power.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector, once the backbone of its economy, has been neglected for too long. The country must invest in mechanized farming, improve infrastructure, and tackle insecurity, which has forced many farmers to abandon their fields. Additionally, addressing inflation and stabilizing the naira are critical to ensuring that food remains affordable.

The hunger situation in Nigeria today serves as a grim reminder that we are teetering on the edge of a deeper crisis. While we may not witness the same level of desperation described in 2 Kings, we are faced with a moral imperative to act before it is too late. If nothing is done, history teaches us that hunger can strip away the humanity of a people and lead to horrors no one should ever have to endure.

The leadership in Nigeria must urgently address the crisis before it spirals out of control. Just as the king of Israel was struck with grief and sorrow at the news of his people’s desperation, Nigeria’s leaders must also recognize the pain and suffering of the citizens and implement genuine solutions. If they fail to do so, we may find ourselves in a situation so dire that the cry for help becomes impossible to ignore.