June 14, (THEWILL) – The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has debunked media reports suggesting that a recently announced three-day prayer and fasting session was part of the Federal Government’s strategy to tackle Nigeria’s food security challenges.
In a statement issued by Ezeaja Ikemefuna on behalf of the Director of Information, the Ministry clarified that the prayer session was a welfare initiative targeted at staff morale, and not an official government policy intervention.
This clarification follows widespread public backlash and misinterpretation of an internal circular which invited staff to participate in a spiritual gathering themed “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development.”
The circular, signed by the Director of Human Resource Management, Mrs. Adedayo Modupe O., had called on all staff to seek divine guidance for the ministry’s work.
However, the ministry said the prayer initiative was in response to a series of untimely deaths among senior staff members, which had sparked concern and anxiety within the ministry.
“The prayer was to address the apprehensiveness of staff over the recent untimely and successive death of management staff. It must be emphasised that this is NOT an official policy of the Ministry to address agricultural and food security issues in the country,” the statement read.
The ministry further noted that the prayer session was part of a broader internal welfare programme that also includes monthly aerobics, the provision of a gymnasium, and regular medical check-ups for staff.
Reaffirming its commitment to addressing food security through strategic policy frameworks, the ministry emphasised that it remains guided by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, anchored on data-driven reforms and impactful interventions.
Among its ongoing programmes, the ministry highlighted the distribution of 42,000 metric tonnes of grains and 58,200 metric tonnes of milled rice under its price stabilisation initiative.
It also pointed to the procurement of over 1,000 tractors and the free distribution of fertilisers and agrochemicals to support farmers. On access to finance, it referenced the ₦1.5 trillion recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture.
Additionally, the ministry announced the launch of the National Electronic Extension Platform (NEEP) to enhance farmer advisory services, and the securing of $600 million under the World Bank-backed RAAMP project for rural road rehabilitation.
It said 2,150,000 bags of fertilisers were recently donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria to help tackle food inflation.
The ministry also spoke on the strengthening of cooperative societies through the Federal Cooperative Colleges and the rollout of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), aimed at providing subsidised inputs to registered farmers.
The ministry urged the public to disregard any misinformation about the purpose of the prayer session, reiterating that its operational focus remains firmly on delivering tangible, evidence-based agricultural solutions.
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