The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to take more decisive and urgent action to address the growing hardship faced by Nigerians. The lawmakers said the difficult living conditions experienced by citizens in recent years, especially in 2025, require stronger and more focused government responses.
The caucus made the call in a New Year message issued on Thursday and signed by the Minority Leader of the House, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, along with three other principal officers of the caucus. The statement reviewed the state of the nation in the past year and outlined key concerns affecting the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
According to the lawmakers, Nigerians continue to face serious socio-economic challenges, including insecurity, rising inflation, unemployment, hunger and widespread poverty. They urged President Bola Tinubu and his administration to make 2026 a year of concrete action aimed at easing the suffering of the people.
The minority lawmakers said the level of hardship across the country has become unbearable for many households. They stressed that while Nigerians remain resilient, the government must do more to improve security, stabilise the economy and restore confidence in public institutions.
“The hardships faced by Nigerians in recent years demand more decisive government action,” the caucus said.
They also urged President Tinubu to urgently tackle worsening insecurity, corruption and inflation, which they described as major threats to national stability and development.
The caucus said 2025 was a particularly difficult year for many Nigerians, with rising prices of food and basic goods, weak purchasing power and limited job opportunities.
One of the major concerns raised by the lawmakers is the worsening security situation across different parts of the country. According to the caucus, Nigeria continues to battle various forms of insecurity that have affected lives, livelihoods and economic activities.
They noted that insurgency remains a serious problem in the North-East, where communities are still dealing with attacks, displacement and humanitarian challenges. In the North-West and parts of the North-Central, banditry and kidnapping have continued to threaten rural and urban areas alike.
The caucus also pointed to violent crimes, communal clashes and other security issues in different regions of the country, saying no part of Nigeria is completely free from fear.
According to the statement, these security challenges have disrupted farming activities, forced many families to abandon their homes and weakened local economies.
“When farmers are afraid to go to their farms, food production drops, prices rise, and hunger spreads,” the lawmakers said.
The minority caucus explained that insecurity has had a direct impact on agriculture, which remains a major source of livelihood for millions of Nigerians. Attacks on farming communities have reduced food production and contributed to the rising cost of food nationwide.
They said many rural communities have been displaced, while local markets and businesses have suffered due to fear and instability. This, they added, has increased poverty levels and reduced income for families already struggling to survive.
The lawmakers warned that unless security improves, efforts to reduce hunger and inflation will continue to face serious challenges.
The caucus also raised concerns about high unemployment, especially among young people. They said many Nigerian youths remain without jobs or meaningful opportunities, despite having education or skills.
According to them, youth unemployment has contributed to frustration, poverty and social tension in many parts of the country. They warned that without deliberate policies to create jobs and support small businesses, the situation could worsen.
“Young people are the backbone of the nation, but many of them are struggling to find a place in the economy,” the statement said.
The lawmakers called on the Federal Government to invest more in job creation, skills development and support for small and medium-scale enterprises.
The minority caucus also identified corruption as a major problem holding Nigeria back. They said corruption continues to weaken public institutions and reduce the impact of government spending on infrastructure and social services.
According to them, funds meant for development often fail to reach the people due to poor accountability and mismanagement. This, they said, has limited progress in key sectors such as health, education and transportation.
They urged the government to strengthen anti-corruption efforts and ensure transparency in the use of public funds.
Another major issue highlighted by the caucus is rising inflation and the high cost of living. They said many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, transport and healthcare.
According to the lawmakers, inflation has reduced the value of incomes, pushing more people into poverty. They described the situation in 2025 as deeply troubling.
“The situation of our country, particularly in 2025, was worrisome and fearful,” the statement said.
They added, “The rising trend of insecurity across the country remains disturbing. Spiralling inflation, debilitating hunger, and corrosive poverty were evident in the lives of many people.”
While acknowledging that governance is challenging, the minority caucus said Nigerians expect more practical solutions and clear results. They urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in 2026 to reduce hardship and restore hope.
The lawmakers called for policies that directly address food security, inflation control, security reform and social welfare. They also stressed the need for dialogue, inclusion and cooperation across political lines to solve national problems.
As the new year begins, the caucus said Nigerians are looking forward to improved living conditions and better leadership outcomes. They urged the government to listen to the concerns of citizens and lawmakers and take bold steps to change the current situation.
They also encouraged Nigerians to remain peaceful and hopeful, despite the challenges, while continuing to demand accountability from leaders.
The statement ended with a call for unity and responsible leadership, noting that Nigeria’s problems can only be solved through sincere commitment, effective policies and collective effort.