Federal Ministry Suspends Planned Prayer, Fasting for Nigeria Food Security

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security initially planned a series of prayer and fasting sessions under the theme “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development” to address Nigeria's escalating food insecurity. The sessions, scheduled for June 16, 23, and 30, 2025, were intended for ministry staff to seek spiritual guidance in supporting government efforts toward food security. However, following widespread public criticism on social media, which viewed the spiritual approach as inadequate amid the nation’s worsening food crisis and record high food inflation, the ministry suspended the planned sessions indefinitely. The internal circulars and memos, signed by Director of Human Resource Management Mrs. Adedayo Modupe O., revealed the ministry's initial intent and subsequent reversal without providing detailed reasons. The backlash highlighted public demand for concrete policy measures rather than symbolic religious activities to address the severe food availability challenges faced by Nigerian households. This development reflects tensions within the government’s approach to balancing spiritual and practical strategies in tackling national food security.