Senator Nwaebonyi Sparks Backlash After Calling Nigerians Who Buy Food From Markets “Lazy”
Senator Nwaebonyi Sparks Backlash After Calling Nigerians Who Buy Food From Markets “Lazy”
Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi has sparked criticism after calling Nigerians who depend on food markets “lazy” and urging citizens to embrace farming to reduce food prices.
Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, has sparked public criticism after describing Nigerians who depend on markets to buy food as “lazy” while urging citizens to embrace farming and increase local food production.
The senator, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial District, made the controversial remarks during an interview on The Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
The interview, published on August 1, has generated renewed attention after clips from the discussion circulated widely on social media.
Nwaebonyi was responding to questions about Nigeria’s rising food prices, inflation and the growing cost-of-living pressures facing households across the country.
While defending the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the lawmaker argued that the government should not be blamed for every increase in the price of food sold in Nigerian markets.
According to him, citizens also have a responsibility to increase agricultural production rather than relying entirely on the market to meet their food needs.
Senator Nwaebonyi Questions Dependence on Food Markets
During the interview, Nwaebonyi questioned whether Nigerians expected President Tinubu to personally control the prices of food commodities or provide food directly to households.
“Do you expect Tinubu to moderate the prices of garri in the market? Do you expect Tinubu to come and give you yam to feed your family?” he asked.
The senator said citizens should also contribute to solving the country's food crisis by producing some of the food they consume.
He argued that increased agricultural production at the household and community levels could reduce pressure on the food market and eventually contribute to lower prices.
“There are things we must do as citizens. And there are things we must hold government accountable to do, like providing the basic infrastructure,” he said.
Nwaebonyi further argued that Nigerians who have the ability to produce food should consider farming instead of depending exclusively on commercial markets.
“If you and I can produce what we eat, do we need to go to the market to buy?” he asked.
Senator Uses His Farm as Example
The lawmaker also cited his personal experience as a farmer while making his argument.
Nwaebonyi said he owns a farm in Ebonyi State and produces a significant portion of the food he consumes.
He disclosed that 22 tubers of yam had been brought from his farm shortly before the interview.
“As I speak to you, yesterday they brought 22 tubers of yam from my farm in Ebonyi State because I am one of the best young farmers in Ebonyi State, not minding that I am a senator,” he said.
According to him, vegetables are among the few food items he regularly purchases from the market because much of what he consumes is produced on his farm.
He used his personal agricultural activities to encourage other Nigerians to consider farming where circumstances permit.
However, his argument that Nigerians who depend on markets are “lazy” has drawn criticism, particularly because millions of Nigerians live in urban areas where access to farmland is limited.
“Only the Lazy Ones Can Go to the Market”
Nwaebonyi's most controversial statement came when he linked dependence on food markets with laziness.
“So if you and I can produce what we eat, it’s only the lazy ones that can go to the market,” he stated.
The comment has attracted criticism from Nigerians who argue that buying food from markets is a normal part of economic life and does not necessarily indicate unwillingness to work.
For many urban households, purchasing food from markets is unavoidable because they do not own farmland or have access to sufficient space for agricultural production.
The statement has therefore reignited debate over how government officials should discuss the country's cost-of-living crisis at a time when many households are struggling to afford basic necessities.
Critics of the senator's position argue that food inflation is influenced by several factors beyond individual consumer choices.
These include transportation costs, insecurity in farming communities, high energy expenses, limited storage facilities, poor road networks, climate-related challenges, input costs and disruptions in agricultural supply chains.
Nwaebonyi Says Increased Food Production Could Reduce Prices
Despite the criticism, Nwaebonyi maintained that increased agricultural production would help bring down food prices.
“Definitely, I tell you without mixing words that the prices of goods will come down,” he said.
His argument is based on the basic principle of supply and demand: increasing the amount of food available in the market can help reduce shortages and ease upward pressure on prices, particularly when production and distribution costs are also controlled.
Nigeria has significant agricultural potential, but the country continues to face challenges in converting that potential into affordable and reliable food supplies.
Agriculture remains an important part of the Nigerian economy and provides livelihoods for millions of people. However, farmers face numerous obstacles, including expensive inputs, inadequate irrigation, limited access to credit, transportation difficulties and insecurity in some agricultural regions.
Experts and stakeholders have repeatedly emphasized that improving agricultural productivity requires more than simply encouraging citizens to farm.
Farmers also need access to land, affordable fertilizer and seeds, machinery, financing, storage facilities, processing infrastructure and reliable transportation networks.
Senator Says Government Must Provide Infrastructure
Although Nwaebonyi urged Nigerians to take responsibility for food production, he also acknowledged that the government has important responsibilities.
He said citizens should hold government accountable for providing the infrastructure and public services necessary for economic development.
“There are things we must hold government accountable to do like providing the basic infrastructure,” he said.
The senator identified roads, electricity, education and healthcare among the areas where government intervention remains important.
His comments suggest that he sees the responsibility for addressing Nigeria's economic difficulties as a shared one between government and citizens.
According to Nwaebonyi, citizens should contribute through productive activities while government creates an environment in which individuals and businesses can succeed.
Nwaebonyi Defends Tinubu's Infrastructure Record
The senator also defended the performance of President Bola Tinubu's administration, particularly in the area of infrastructure.
He argued that the President had made significant progress in road construction and other infrastructure projects.
“Mr President has made a name in the area of infrastructure, in particular road network in Nigeria,” Nwaebonyi said.
The comments come amid an ongoing national debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration's economic reforms.
Since taking office, the administration has introduced major policy changes aimed at restructuring the Nigerian economy. The reforms have generated both support and criticism, particularly because of their impact on household expenses and purchasing power.
Supporters of the administration argue that the reforms are necessary to address long-standing structural problems in the Nigerian economy.
Critics, however, maintain that the immediate consequences have placed significant pressure on households, businesses and low-income Nigerians.
Senator Rejects Claims That Nigerians Are Becoming Poorer
Nwaebonyi also pushed back against claims that Nigerians have generally become poorer under the current administration.
He argued that poverty and economic hardship are not exclusive to Nigeria and exist even in developed countries.
“Even in America, we have poor people. Go to poor villages,” he said.
The senator maintained that the government inherited several economic challenges and is working to address them through its ongoing reforms.
His position reflects the broader argument from supporters of the administration that the current economic difficulties should be viewed in the context of problems that existed before the Tinubu government came into office.
Opponents of the government, however, argue that Nigerians should judge the administration based on how effectively it improves living standards and responds to current economic pressures.
Food Prices Remain a Major Concern for Nigerian Households
Nwaebonyi's comments come at a time when food affordability remains one of the most important economic concerns for Nigerians.
For households with limited incomes, increases in the prices of staple foods can significantly affect monthly budgets.
Food inflation can also have wider consequences because households may be forced to reduce the quantity or quality of food they purchase, cut spending on other necessities or seek additional sources of income.
The situation has made agricultural productivity and food security major policy priorities.
Nigeria has vast agricultural land and a large population engaged in farming, yet the country still relies heavily on markets to distribute food from producing areas to consumers.
This makes transportation, storage and distribution particularly important.
A farmer may produce enough crops but still struggle to make a profit if roads are poor, transportation costs are high or storage facilities are unavailable.
Similarly, consumers may continue paying high prices even when farm-gate prices are relatively low because of costs accumulated along the supply chain.
Why Farming Alone May Not Solve Food Inflation
While encouraging Nigerians to engage in agriculture can contribute to food security, analysts generally recognize that farming alone cannot solve all the problems behind rising food prices.
A sustainable solution requires improvements across the entire agricultural value chain.
Farmers need affordable access to inputs and financing. Rural communities need roads and electricity. Agricultural products need adequate storage and processing facilities to reduce waste.
Security is also essential because farmers must be able to access their land and transport their produce safely.
In addition, policies that improve productivity and reduce unnecessary costs can help make locally produced food more affordable.
For urban Nigerians who do not have access to farmland, purchasing food from markets will remain an essential part of everyday life.
Therefore, the debate over food prices is not simply about whether Nigerians should farm. It is also about creating an economic system in which farmers can produce efficiently and consumers can purchase food at affordable prices.
Nwaebonyi's Comment Triggers Wider Debate
The senator's “lazy” remark has shifted attention from his broader argument about agricultural production to the question of how political leaders communicate with Nigerians facing economic hardship.
Supporters may interpret his comments as a call for greater self-reliance and increased food production.
Critics, however, may view the statement as insensitive to the realities faced by urban workers, low-income households and people without access to agricultural land.
The controversy highlights a broader question: Who should bear responsibility for Nigeria's rising food prices?
The answer is unlikely to rest entirely with either government or citizens.
Government policies can influence infrastructure, security, energy costs, agricultural financing and the broader business environment. At the same time, private-sector investment, farmers, traders and consumers all play roles in the food supply chain.
The Bigger Challenge: Making Food More Affordable
Nigeria's food crisis requires a comprehensive response that goes beyond telling citizens to produce what they eat.
Encouraging small-scale and commercial farming can increase domestic production, but the government and private sector must also create conditions that allow farmers to succeed.
Improved rural roads can lower transportation costs. Better storage can reduce post-harvest losses. Affordable financing can help farmers expand production. Irrigation can reduce dependence on rainfall, while modern farming equipment can improve productivity.
Processing facilities can also allow farmers to add value to their produce instead of selling raw commodities at low prices.
If these measures are implemented effectively, increased production could eventually translate into greater food availability and more stable prices.
For now, however, Senator Nwaebonyi's remarks have generated a fresh debate about food inflation, personal responsibility and the role of government in Nigeria's economy.
While the senator maintains that Nigerians should embrace agriculture and produce more of what they consume, many citizens continue to look to government for policies capable of making food, transportation, housing and other basic necessities more affordable.
The debate ultimately underscores the complexity of Nigeria's cost-of-living crisis. Addressing food insecurity will likely require both greater agricultural production and stronger systems for supporting farmers, moving food from farms to cities and protecting consumers from excessive costs.
As Nigerians continue to feel the impact of high food prices, the question is no longer simply whether citizens should farm. It is how government, farmers, businesses and households can work together to build a food system capable of feeding the country's growing population at prices ordinary families can afford.
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