“Let Us Pray the Yams Multiply,” Says Source
ABUJA — In a move that’s stirring both eyebrows and intercessory spirits, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has called on its staff to fast and pray for divine intervention amid Nigeria’s deepening food insecurity crisis.
According to an internal circular dated June 11, 2025, and signed by Mrs. Adedayo Modupe O., Director of Human Resource Management, ministry officials have been summoned to a series of solemn prayer sessions under the theme: “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development.”
The memo, posted on the ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, invited all directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, value chain desk officers, and other staff to “come fasting” and gather at Conference Hall “B” in the FMAFS headquarters, Area 11, Abuja.
The spiritual schedule? June 16, 23, and 30 — all at 12:00 PM sharp.
“We’re not just planting seeds in the ground,” said a source within the ministry who requested anonymity. “We’re planting seeds of faith too. We need heaven’s hand on our harvest.”
While some critics argue the country needs tractors more than prayers, others believe a mix of policy and piety could yield results.
Ministry insiders confirm that alongside the spiritual push, ongoing food policy reforms, value chain support, and distribution programmes are still in place. But the call for divine intervention seems to be a new — and perhaps uniquely Nigerian — layer of strategy.
The prayer push comes amid rising inflation, erratic rainfall, and insecurity in key farming regions, all of which have threatened national food output.
“If this doesn’t work,” quipped one staffer, “we may have to start multiplying loaves and fishes.”
