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

BY ISAAC ASABOR*

Many Nigerians are facing unprecedented levels of hunger due to the country’s current economic situation. A look at local markets reveals a grim reality: basic food prices have risen beyond the reach of the average person, making survival a daily battle. What is happening in Nigeria today eerily resembles a time of extreme desperation in the Bible, when hunger drove people to horrific lengths, including cannibalism. The current conditions invite us to reflect on that biblical story, emphasising the gravity of Nigeria’s hunger crisis.

According to the book of 2 Kings 6:24-30, a severe famine struck Samaria after the city was besieged by the king of Aram. The hunger was so severe that two women made an unthinkable agreement: cook and eat their children to survive. The first woman sacrificed her son, but when it came time for the second, she hid her own. This heinous act, born of despair, caused 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 told her to give up her son so we could eat him, but she had hidden him.” (2 King 6:29)

The severity of the situation, with people resorting to cannibalism as a last resort, reflects the distress that many Nigerians are experiencing 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 heinous acts seem justifiable.

While Nigeria has not yet reached the level of such catastrophic human behaviour, the country is experiencing a hunger crisis that is worsening by the day. Promises made by the government during election campaigns, particularly regarding food security and subsidies, now seem like distant dreams. Many Nigerians recall promises that cassava, ewa (beans) and agbado (corn) would be inexpensive once a new government was elected. However, many people now consider these staple foods to be luxuries.

Millions of Nigerians are frustrated, as expressed by market women like mummy Deborah from Lagos. “Shebi dem tell us that cassava, ewa, and agbado become cheaper when we vote for them. “Today, we can not buy them for the market,” she lamented. Her cry is heard across the country, as inflation soars and wages remain inadequate, leaving millions unable to afford even a basic meal.

The current situation has forced many households to reduce their meal portions, skip meals altogether, or rely on charitable handouts. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported that food inflation had risen to more than 25%, the highest level in nearly two decades. In some areas, the price of basic staples like rice, yam, and bread has doubled or tripled. Parents watch helplessly as their children cry from hunger, while once-thriving markets are now ghostly, with food items sitting on shelves that are too expensive for most people to purchase.

According to a recent World Bank report, more than 70 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line. This dire situation has been exacerbated by the elimination of fuel subsidies, which has significantly increased transportation costs and raised food prices even higher. Families across Nigeria are being forced into deeper poverty, with little hope for the future.

Hunger has far-reaching consequences. School attendance is declining as parents cannot afford the transport and meals required to send their children to school. Health problems are increasing as malnutrition, particularly among children, becomes more prevalent. As hunger becomes more severe, so does the population’s sense of helplessness and, in some cases, hopelessness.

In response to the growing hunger crisis, the Nigerian government has implemented a number of relief measures, including the distribution of rice and other supplies. The government recently announced an N5 billion palliative fund for each state to help mitigate the effects of subsidy removal, with the goal of providing food to the most vulnerable citizens. However, these efforts have proven ineffective, as corruption and mismanagement persist in the distribution process.

Many Nigerians have expressed their dissatisfaction with the uneven distribution of these palliatives, with some regions receiving more assistance than others. In many areas, these relief materials are reportedly intercepted by corrupt officials or sold in black markets rather than reaching the intended recipients. The question remains: is this sufficient to avert an impending disaster?

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

The situation necessitates long-term solutions that address the root causes of the food crisis rather than providing only temporary relief. When hunger becomes unbearable, people may resort to measures they would never have considered before, as described in the Bible. Without immediate intervention, Nigeria risks experiencing more social unrest and public outrage as citizens feel abandoned by those in power.

Nigeria’s agricultural sector, once the backbone of the economy, has been neglected for far too long. The country must invest in mechanised farming, improve infrastructure, and address the insecurity that has forced many farmers to abandon their fields. Additionally, addressing inflation and stabilising the naira is critical to keeping food affordable.

The current hunger situation in Nigeria serves as a sobering reminder that we are on the verge of a more serious crisis. While we may not see the same level of desperation as in 2 Kings, we are confronted with a moral imperative to act before it is too late. If nothing is done, history teaches us that hunger can dehumanise people and lead to horrors that no one should ever have to experience.

Nigeria’s leadership must act quickly to address the crisis before it escalates. Just as the king of Israel was overcome with grief and sorrow when he learnt of his people’s desperation, Nigeria’s leaders must recognise the citizens’ pain and suffering and implement genuine solutions. If they fail to do so, we may find ourselves in a desperate situation where the cry for help becomes impossible to ignore.