Nigeria is witnessing a growing debate over food prices, as Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, sounded the alarm over rising costs and hunger, while ruling party stalwart Senator Adams Oshiomhole recently claimed that food is “becoming too cheap,” remarks that starkly contradict both Akpabio and other ruling party voices.
Speaking at the Senate’s first sitting after the Christmas and New Year recess, Akpabio warned that soaring food prices are pushing millions of Nigerians into hunger, describing the situation as a national emergency. He cited a United Nations projection that up to 35 million Nigerians could face hunger this year and called for urgent legislative, executive, and societal action to strengthen food security.
“This sobering reality demands a doubling of effort through legislation, oversight and collaboration to strengthen food security, protect the vulnerable, and ensure that no Nigerian is abandoned to despair,” Akpabio said, stressing that the Senate would focus on policies to boost agricultural productivity and stabilise food supply chains.
In sharp contrast, Senator Adams Oshiomhole sparked controversy during a Channels Television appearance on 21 January 2026, claiming that some Nigerians are now saying food is “becoming too cheap.” Oshiomhole defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that government policies are effectively lowering prices and that opposition members are “angry” over the decline, which he described as deliberate “manipulation.”
Oshiomhole’s statement appears to contradict not only Akpabio’s warning but also concerns expressed by other ruling party members over inflation and the high cost of living. Analysts suggest that the conflicting messages reflect deeper tensions within the government over economic performance and messaging ahead of political campaigns.
While Akpabio emphasised that millions of Nigerians remain vulnerable and that food security must become a central national priority, Oshiomhole framed the issue as a sign of successful reform, promising that falling prices would be a key campaign point for President Tinubu’s reelection.
The juxtaposition of these perspectives has sparked debate across political and public circles. Critics argue that Oshiomhole’s claims downplay the economic hardships facing ordinary citizens, while supporters maintain it reflects positive outcomes from government interventions.
The contrasting statements highlight a growing divide in Nigeria’s political discourse, with the nation facing the dual reality of economic hardship for many and political messaging that sometimes paints a different picture.
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