FG Bows to Pressure, Withdraws Prayer and Fasting Directive for Food Security

Last updated: Jun 14, 2025. 2:59 pm

By Praise Ben

3 Min Read

Prayer and Fasting Directive for Food Security

FG Withdraws Prayer and Fasting Directive for Food Security
Nigerians call for action, not spirituality, on food crisis.
No reason given for cancellation of scheduled sessions.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has withdrawn its controversial directive calling for nationwide prayer and fasting sessions to support government efforts toward achieving food security.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that this retraction comes days after an internal circular, dated June 11 and signed by the ministry’s Director of Human Resource Management, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe O., was leaked online.

The circular had instructed senior officials — including directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, and value chain desk officers — to gather at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja for a series of prayer sessions tagged “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development.”

The sessions were originally scheduled to hold on June 16, 23, and 30. Staff were also expected to fast on those days as part of the exercise, which was described as a spiritual support effort for the government’s food security initiatives.

“This is to invite all staff of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and supporting the Government’s effort to achieve food security,” the now-withdrawn circular had read.

However, following public backlash, a follow-up communication from the same director announced that the prayer programme had been postponed until further notice. No official explanation was given for the decision.

The move drew widespread criticism from Nigerians online, many of whom argued that the government should focus on tangible, science-based solutions to the country’s growing food crisis rather than rely on spiritual exercises.

Critics urged the Ministry to channel its energy into practical agricultural reforms — such as boosting local food production, providing input subsidies to farmers, and investing in storage and distribution networks.

Prayer and Fasting Directive for Food Security

“This is not the time for optics or rituals. Nigerians need food security plans, not prayer schedules,” one user posted on X, capturing the mood across social media platforms.