Catholic Pontiff Pope Leo XIV and former Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi have both called on African governments not to leave behind the continent's poor and hungry, particularly amid a dire hunger forecast for Nigeria. The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) recently warned that more than 33 million Nigerians could face severe hunger and malnutrition in 2026 if urgent coordinated measures are not taken.
Pope Leo XIV, speaking during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica that marked the “Jubilee of the Poor,” decried poverty and urged world leaders and Catholics globally to reach out to marginalized people. The Pope emphasized the Church’s mission to be the “mother of the poor, a place of welcome and justice” amid persistent forms of poverty.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi highlighted Nigeria’s vast talent and resources but pointed to decades of mismanagement and poor governance as major barriers to prosperity. In a keynote speech delivered virtually at the Paul Alaje 2nd Colloquium, Obi outlined transformative reforms necessary for sustainable growth in Nigeria and Africa. His pillars include shifting from consumption to production, investing in human capital, strengthening governance, advancing innovation and technology, and fostering national unity.
The Red Cross Secretary-General, Abubakar Kende, launched a Nutrition Advocacy Plan to mobilize stakeholders and raise public awareness for tackling hunger. NRCS also appointed Layla Othman, a Nigerian influencer and businesswoman, as Nutrition Ambassador to aide these efforts.
Nigeria ranks 115th out of 123 countries in the 2025 Global Hunger Index, with nearly 20% of the population undernourished. Child malnutrition remains severe, with over one-third of children under five stunted and acute undernutrition affecting more than 11%.
This urgent call from Pope Leo XIV and Peter Obi reinforces the need for inclusive, decisive actions towards ending hunger and fostering economic stability as Nigeria and Africa face formidable social and economic challenges.