Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar warned on Thursday that Nigerian families can no longer afford food under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, citing a deepening cost‑of‑living crisis.
Staggering child malnutrition rates
Atiku’s statement came as nutrition experts released data showing that 41.1 percent of Nigerian children under five are stunted and 19.2 percent are severely stunted. He described these figures as one of the most disturbing manifestations of the country’s economic hardship.
The ex‑vice president said the crisis is no longer just “emptying the pockets of parents” but is now threatening the physical development and future of millions of children across Nigeria.
“This is the most heartbreaking face of the cost‑of‑living crisis. Behind every statistic is a Nigerian mother struggling to decide what her children can eat, how much they can eat and how often they can eat. A child does not understand inflation figures. A child only knows whether there is food on the table.”
Atiku added that when nutritious food moves beyond the reach of millions, the consequences will appear in the bodies of the nation’s children, urging leaders to confront the shocking statistics.
The remarks highlight the growing difficulty many Nigerian households face in securing basic nutrition amid soaring prices and a broader economic downturn.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
