Introduce Food Stamps to Tackle Rising Hunger, Senate Tells Nigerian Government

In a bid to address the escalating hunger crisis in Nigeria, the Senate has called upon the Federal Government to initiate a food stamps program as a temporary measure to alleviate the impacts of food insecurity across the nation.

The Senate’s resolution also urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to collaborate with development partners and relevant stakeholders, including the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, which previously introduced the Temporary Food Assistance Programme (TEFAP).

Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), the Senate Chief Whip, presented the motion during plenary, co-sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central) and several others. The motion highlighted the urgency of developing practical templates and implementable modalities for the successful execution of the proposed food stamps program.

The call for the introduction of food stamps stems from concerns about the projected 26.5 million people in Nigeria facing heightened food insecurity in 2024, as indicated in the October 2023 Cadre Harmonizé Analysis on Food Insecurity. Factors contributing to this projection include ongoing conflicts, climate change impacts, escalating inflation, and the rising costs of both food and essential commodities.

Senator Ndume emphasized that the introduction of a food stamps program is crucial to address the hardships faced by many Nigerians, citing the success of similar initiatives in countries like the United States since 1933.

Various senators, including Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), Senator Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North), Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Ogun West), and Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), expressed support for the motion. They stressed the need for immediate implementation and efficient distribution to ensure the assistance reaches those in dire need.

Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau, presiding over the plenary, affirmed the Senate’s commitment to addressing issues that benefit all Nigerians, commending Senator Ndume for the motion.