The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, has issued a press release calling on policymakers to make affordable nutrition a national health priority. The union warned that the spiraling cost of food items is compounding chronic health conditions across the country.
The call was made by the Chairman of the NUJ in Abia State, Chidi Asonye, during the commemoration of National Food Is Medicine Day on September 14. Asonye highlighted the severe impact of the high cost of living, which he stated is preventing many Nigerian families from accessing nutritious meals.
“Many households are struggling to afford balanced meals, and this is fueling malnutrition and diet-related illnesses. Policy intervention is no longer optional; it is a necessity,” Asonye declared.
Asonye’s statement comes amid a deepening food crisis in Nigeria. According to recent reports from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation rate was 22.74% in July 2025. This persistent inflation, compounded by insecurity and displacement, has led to a major food security crisis. The UN and the Federal Government of Nigeria have warned that more than 31 million people are facing food insecurity this year, and the World Food Programme has called for urgent funding to prevent the crisis from escalating further.
The Abia NUJ chairman urged governments at all levels to implement sustainable food policies that align with global campaigns linking nutrition to public health. He announced that journalists in the state have launched a “crusade against hunger, malnutrition, unemployment, and insecurity” and will continue their advocacy until decisive action is taken to protect citizens’ health.
