The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the federal government to urgently address the widespread hunger gripping the nation, citing the recent stampedes that claimed dozens of lives as a tragic consequence of Nigeria’s deepening economic crisis.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National, Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, the student body expressed profound concern over the fatal incidents in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra State, where more than 30 children and numerous adults lost their lives in chaotic scrambles for free food and palliatives.

Describing the events as a national disgrace, Odunayo lamented the government’s failure to mitigate poverty and hunger, which he identified as the root causes of these tragedies. He stressed that Nigerians are not naturally inclined to scramble for aid but have been forced into desperation by dire economic circumstances.

“These tragic stampedes were entirely avoidable. They are the direct result of the government’s inability to address the suffering of its people,” Odunayo stated. “Nigerians are hardworking people. This scramble for free food only underscores the severity of the hunger crisis in the land.”

The student leader criticized what he termed the “nonchalant and insensitive” attitude of the federal government, emphasizing that mere condolences or compensation cannot undo the loss of innocent lives. He warned that without immediate and meaningful interventions, similar tragedies would continue to unfold across the country.

“Hunger is real, and poverty is real,” Odunayo declared. “No region of this nation is immune. If the government fails to act decisively, we should brace for more hunger-induced stampedes.”

NANS called on President Bola Tinubu and state governments to take immediate steps to revive the struggling economy and implement sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty. The association also urged leaders to move beyond token palliatives that often fail to reach the most vulnerable, advocating instead for genuine empowerment programs that address the root causes of poverty.

In a heartfelt message, NANS extended condolences to the families of the victims, expressing solidarity with those affected by the stampedes. The union urged the government to prioritize the welfare of its citizens, warning that the nation’s socioeconomic challenges must be addressed to prevent further loss of life.

As the death toll from hunger-related incidents continues to rise, the call for action has become impossible to ignore. For many Nigerians, the urgency to tackle poverty and hunger is not just a policy issue—it is a matter of life and death.