Kyari dismisses opposition politicization of food security report
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, faults opposition parties for politicizing the October 2026 Cadre Harmonisé food security assessment. The report projects 33.5 million Nigerians will face severe food and nutrition insecurity between June and August 2027 during the lean season—a slight improvement from the 2026 projection of 34.8 million.
Kyari explains the Cadre Harmonisé is a technical early-warning system developed by CILSS with FAO, WFP, UNICEF, and IPC partners, not a political instrument. He dismisses opposition claims linking the projection to President Tinubu's potential re-election bid as false and politically motivated.
While acknowledging food insecurity remains a serious national challenge, Kyari says progress won't be immediate. The government will continue using Cadre Harmonisé findings to guide interventions, support farmers, and ensure access to safe, nutritious, affordable food.
With 33.5 million Nigerians projected to need help during the next lean season, will political debates over the data help or hinder the interventions that must reach them?