As Nigeria battles a worsening food crisis, Professor Bishop Ochuko Ovwigho, a Professor of Agricultural Programme Monitoring and Evaluation at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has raised the alarm that 35.7 million Nigerians could face hunger by August 2026, unveiling what he described as a corruption-proof model to reverse the trend.
Ovwigho disclosed this while delivering the university’s 120th inaugural lecture, warning that Nigeria must urgently rethink the implementation of its agricultural programmes or risk a deepening food security crisis.
Speaking on the topic, “Achieving Food Security: Hierarchy of Objectives Monitoring and Evaluation Model for Agricultural Development Programmes,” the professor cited projections from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) indicating that millions of Nigerians could slip into severe hunger in the coming months.
He blamed poor implementation, weak monitoring and corruption for the failure of several agricultural interventions over the years.
To address the challenge, Ovwigho proposed a new monitoring and evaluation framework that links every stage of agricultural programmes—from resource allocation and project execution to measurable outcomes and overall impact.
According to him, the model would ensure transparency, accountability and effective delivery of programmes aimed at boosting food production and improving the socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians.
He urged the Federal Government, state governments and international development agencies to adopt the framework, insisting it provides a practical solution to Nigeria’s food insecurity challenge.
“The objective of every agricultural programme is to achieve food security, while the ultimate impact is to improve the socio-economic condition of the people. Effective monitoring and evaluation remain the bridge between both,” he said.
The proposal received immediate endorsement from the Vice-Chancellor of DELSU, Professor Samuel Ogheneovo Asagba, who described the model as a credible blueprint capable of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Asagba said the framework appeared resistant to corruption, which he identified as one of the biggest obstacles to national development.
“This model appears free from corruption, which has remained the bane of Nigeria’s development. Its monitoring and evaluation framework has the capacity to take the nation out of hunger and starvation,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
The lecture also featured the decoration of Professor Ovwigho with the university’s prestigious inaugural lecturer’s medal by the Vice-Chancellor, alongside a special musical performance by the Department of Music.
The event attracted top academics and university officials, including former Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Eric Arubayi, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, provosts, deans, directors, professors, students, family members and other distinguished guests.
