Nigeria’s Agriculture Ministry has asked its employees to fast and pray on the next three Mondays “for divine intervention” in the country’s worsening food crisis, sparking a wave of criticism from citizens who say the government should rely on policy, not providence.
The directive appeared in an internal memo signed by the ministry’s human-resources chief, calling for a “solemn prayer session” to help achieve national food security. Social-media users reacted with disbelief, accusing officials of shirking responsibility as food prices spiral.
Facing mounting backlash, the ministry issued a weekend statement saying the invitation was voluntary and meant to “enhance staff well-being,” likening it to monthly aerobics classes and routine medical checkups already on offer.
At least 4.4 million Nigerians are currently food-insecure, according to U.N. estimates. Inflation has pushed the cost of staples to historic highs: the price of yams has quadrupled in a year, while rice and maize have also surged.
Government spokespeople say Abuja is addressing the crisis by providing farmers with more than 1,000 tractors and over two million bags of fertilizer. Critics counter that those measures have done little to ease supermarket shelves — or family budgets — and that the prayer appeal underscores a lack of concrete strategy.