Tragedies from Stampedes and Ineffective Palliative Measures

The deaths of 213 individuals across 11 years due to various stampedes tied to palliative distributions stand as a stark reminder of systemic failures in governance in Nigeria.

While Islamic teachings emphasize providing food for the needy during the month-long Ramadan fast, the unwarranted practice of state governments, legislators, and political figures using rice distribution as a patronizing tool is both disgraceful and represents a profound indignity faced by citizens within Nigeria’s democratic framework.

On February 26, 2026, a tragic incident led to the deaths of four individuals during an annual Ramadan charity event in Kofar-Guga quarters in Katsina State, where a large crowd had assembled at a benefactor's home, resulting in a deadly stampede, as confirmed by DSP Aliyu Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command.

Looking back, it was noted that in 2024, stampedes during food distribution events caused about 72 fatalities in locations such as Ibadan, Oyo State; Okija in Anambra State; and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Earlier, on October 16, 2013, a catastrophic stampede occurred during an Eid- el-Fitr food giveaway in Ilorin, Kwara State, leading to the death of 20 people and injuring many more. Moreover, on May 28, 2022, at least 31 people lost their lives during a food distribution known as “Shop for Free” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Notably, in February 2020, 23 fatalities were reported due to a stampede when food items were distributed to Nigerian refugees in Niger Republic by Borno State officials.

These state-sponsored expenditures on palliatives intended for public feeding during Ramadan have become more hazardous than the relief they are purported to provide. This situation is reflected in the substantial annual resources allocated by certain northern state governments for Ramadan food distributions, which show little to no tangible benefit for the impoverished citizens in northern Nigeria.

As an example, for the 2026 Ramadan period, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni announced the distribution of Ramadan palliatives to vulnerable households across all 17 Local Government Areas. The initiative was framed as an effort to alleviate hardship and support families during this holy month. Similarly, the Jigawa State government provided Ramadan aid to over three thousand state civil servants.

Although government interventions during national emergencies are not insignificant, a more considerable impact could be achieved if such funds were instead directed towards agriculture, youth and women empowerment through skills training, and the establishment of small-scale industries that offer long-lasting solutions.

Unfortunately, the current administration has exhibited a narrow understanding of the function of palliatives, placing excessive importance on temporary relief measures rather than addressing the root causes of issues like poverty and unemployment.

Certain leaders, particularly governors, seem to prioritize palliative measures above all else, creating a misleading key performance indicator for elected officials based on badly interpreted socio-economic metrics, including poverty rates and empowerment. Distributing food for Ramadan does not effectively address the economic crises facing citizens. The provision of palliatives often serves as a mere delay of the inevitable while failing to offer genuine assistance.

Governments currently spend resources on sponsoring weddings instead of focusing on improving mass transit systems, distributing rice rather than empowering small and medium businesses. Fighting poverty and unemployment requires empowering citizens with skills—not simply providing temporary handouts. Development cannot stem from relying on the distribution of palliatives. When leaders misallocate priorities toward palliatives, it suggests the potential for corrupt practices, diverting substantial public funds away from sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s socio-economic issues.

With the nation's vast economic potential, including a dynamic population that offers opportunities to significantly reduce poverty and unemployment rates, Nigerians, especially the youth, require skill development more than they need short-term palliative measures during Ramadan. If properly empowered with skills rather than palliatives, they would avoid the necessity to queue for Ramadan food giveaways. The practice of humiliating Nigerians through inadequate Ramadan palliatives signals a profound disrespect for human dignity, and it should be ceased immediately.