Atiku Abubakar Urges Action on Nigeria's Rising Food Prices

Atiku Abubakar, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, condemned the Nigerian government's inaction regarding rising prices and its impact on citizens, especially children suffering from malnutrition. He cited disturbing statistics indicating that 41.1% of Nigerian children under five are stunted, with 19.2% severely stunted, and the prevalence of stunting reaching 58.2% in the North-West.

Nearly two million children are reported to suffer from severe acute malnutrition, with only about 20% receiving treatment. Atiku emphasized that the economic hardship is not just depleting family finances but jeopardizing the future of millions of children.

He reacted to the National Bureau of Statistics report indicating food inflation at 19.57%, stating that households are struggling with high prices. Atiku proposed a petroleum intervention focused on supporting domestic production to lower costs for consumers, arguing against a philosophy that merely asks citizens to endure rising prices.