Hunger, Inflation Fueling Nigeria’s Insecurity, Methodist Prelate Tells Tinubu

His Eminence, Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, has directly told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the twin challenges of hunger and inflation are profoundly fueling the pervasive insecurity across the country. He urged the government to confront these pressing issues with “honesty and seriousness” to pave the way for national progress.

The Prelate made this significant assertion on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, during the 43rd Council of Bishops of the Methodist Church Nigeria, held at the Methodist Cathedral of Unity in Wuse, Abuja. Dr. Aba identified three major challenges facing Nigeria: “hunger, inflation, and insecurity,” positing that “insecurity is the root cause of the other two, and by addressing it, we can pave the way for normalcy and progress.”

He called upon governments at all levels to take decisive action, emphasizing that “no nation can prosper under the weight of such challenges.” His comments resonate with similar sentiments recently expressed by top security officials, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who also linked economic hardship to the nation’s security woes.

President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, acknowledged the long-standing contributions of the Methodist Church to Nigeria’s development. In his message, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening collaboration with faith-based institutions, praising the church’s legacy in education, healthcare, and social advocacy. He noted that many of Nigeria’s founding fathers, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, were products of Methodist educational institutions.

Akume conveyed President Tinubu’s message, stating that the theme of this year’s Council, “He Will Rise Again,” aligns seamlessly with the administration’s “Renewed Hope agenda for Nigeria.” The President stressed that the partnership between church and state is “essential for the well-being of our citizens” and pledged to strengthen this collaboration for the greater good.

The Prelate’s forthright message underscores the growing concern among religious leaders and the populace about the compounding effects of economic hardship on national stability, placing renewed pressure on the government to urgently address the root causes of insecurity.