By Jeremy Fregene
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday painted a grim picture of the state of the nation, admitting that Nigerians are grappling with devastating economic pressures, worsening hunger and persistent security challenges, as he rallied lawmakers to urgent action.
Akpabio made the admission in his address of welcome at the first plenary sitting of the Senate in 2026, following the Christmas and New Year recess, warning that the country was at a critical crossroads.
He noted that while the National Assembly was away on recess, Nigeria continued its steady but difficult march through mounting challenges, rising social demands and the quiet resilience of its citizens.
“Nigerians have endured, adapted and persevered,” Akpabio said.
“They have not been silent; they have spoken through enterprise and an abiding belief that tomorrow can be better than today.”
According to him, the patience of Nigerians should not be mistaken for indifference, stressing that citizens are demanding leadership that listens, reforms that deliver results and a future that rewards effort, integrity and honest labour.
“Their expectations have not diminished; they have grown more urgent,” he said.
“As we return, we are mindful that events did not pause in our absence—and neither must our sense of duty.”
The Senate President urged his colleagues to respond decisively to a recent United Nations warning that as many as 35 million Nigerians could face hunger in 2026 if urgent steps are not taken.
Describing the projection as “sobering,” Akpabio said it called for a doubling of efforts by the legislature through targeted laws, rigorous oversight and closer collaboration with the executive to strengthen food security and protect the most vulnerable.
“This reality demands action to ensure that no Nigerian is abandoned to hunger and despair,” he stressed.
On security, Akpabio commended the ongoing military collaboration between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism, describing it as vital to national stability.
He said such partnerships reinforced Nigeria’s security architecture and affirmed the country’s resolve to work with allies against forces threatening peace and unity.
“At the same time,” he added, “the Senate extends its deepest sympathies to families who have lost sons and daughters to insecurity across our country.”
According to him, their grief is a stark reminder that security is not an abstract concept but a matter of lives, homes and futures that must be defended at all costs.