“Peace and Production Are Nigeria’s Only Way Out of Hunger – WFP Country Director”

As hunger deepens across parts of Nigeria, the World Food Programme’s Country Director, David Stevenson, has issued a clear message to both national leaders and the global community: without peace and a boost in local food production, Nigeria’s hunger crisis will spiral beyond control.

Speaking at a high-level agricultural resilience forum held in Abuja on Tuesday, Stevenson highlighted how years of armed conflict, climate shocks, and declining farm yields have combined to push millions of Nigerians toward starvation.

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“You cannot fight and feed at the same time,” Stevenson said. “Peace and production are the solution. Without them, no amount of aid will be enough.”

According to WFP estimates, over 26 million Nigerians may face acute food insecurity by the end of the year particularly in conflict-ridden regions like Borno, Yobe, and Zamfara.

Stevenson also emphasized the need for urgent investment in local farming infrastructure and security for rural communities, warning that food imports and emergency handouts alone would not create sustainable recovery.

“Every displaced farmer is a lost harvest. Every burned field is a future without bread,” he added.

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Farmers’ unions present at the forum echoed his concerns. Many cited ongoing attacks on villages, cattle rustling, and lack of access to fertilizer as major barriers to food security.

“We need to return to our land without fear,” said Maryam Aliyu, a maize farmer from Plateau State. “Right now, we are feeding from hand to mouth.”

In a joint statement, the WFP, Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture, and ECOWAS called for a coordinated national push toward stabilizing farmlands, protecting food corridors, and supporting youth-led agribusinesses.

As Nigeria battles economic pressure and growing insecurity, Stevenson’s message rings clear: “You can’t end hunger without ending conflict. And you can’t build peace on an empty stomach.”