The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to harmonise existing poverty reduction and food security programmes to better address rising hunger and economic hardship across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved on Thursday by Yobe lawmaker, Khadija Ibrahim, during plenary.
Lawmakers cited recent estimates indicating that about 139 million Nigerians, or 61 per cent of the population, are living below the national poverty line, with projections that the figure could rise to 141 million by 2026 due to inflation and weak economic growth. The United Nations World Food Programme has also projected that about 35 million Nigerians may face severe food insecurity in 2026.
Presenting the motion, Ibrahim said millions of Nigerians can no longer afford basic food items and essential services, worsening food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among women, children, the elderly and internally displaced persons.
She said the North-East has been disproportionately affected due to years of insurgency, displacement, and destruction of farmlands, despite recent security improvements.
The House urged the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to strengthen and harmonise national poverty reduction, food security and post-conflict agricultural recovery initiatives, with a focus on agrarian communities affected by insecurity.
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other relevant agencies to integrate North-East farmers into existing recovery programmes through access to inputs, credit, extension services, mechanisation, irrigation, storage and value-chain support.
Relevant House committees were mandated to intensify oversight of poverty alleviation and food security interventions and report back for further legislative action.
