The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has suspended its proposed national prayer and fasting sessions intended as a spiritual response to Nigeria’s growing hunger crisis.
The move follows strong public criticism and backlash over what many Nigerians described as an inadequate and out-of-touch approach to addressing widespread food insecurity.
Details of the planned initiative were disclosed in a leaked internal circular dated June 11, 2025.
The document instructed all ministry staff—including directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, and value chain desk officers—to attend weekly prayer and fasting sessions at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Signed by the Director of Human Resource Management, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe O., the memo invited staff to participate in a programme titled “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development,” with scheduled dates for the sessions on June 16, 23, and 30.
“This is to invite all staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and supporting the Government’s effort to achieve food security,” the circular read.
However, the plan was abruptly shelved after widespread condemnation. In a follow-up memo, the same official announced that the programme had been postponed “until further notice.” No official explanation accompanied the reversal.
The backlash was swift and intense on social media, where many Nigerians called the move tone-deaf amid escalating food prices and worsening economic conditions. Critics argued that the government’s focus should be on implementing practical solutions to boost agricultural output and reduce inflation rather than relying on spiritual interventions.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the country has witnessed record-breaking levels of food inflation. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food prices rose by over 40% year-on-year as of May 2025. The costs of basic staples such as rice, yam, garri, and maize have more than doubled in several markets, putting enormous pressure on households already burdened by surging fuel prices.
The ministry’s now-abandoned plan has sparked broader conversations about government priorities and the need for actionable strategies to combat hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria.
