The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has addressed public concerns following the circulation of an internal memo calling for prayer sessions among its staff.
The Ministry explained that the sessions were initiated in response to a series of sudden and successive deaths among top management officials.
In a statement dated June 14, 2025, and signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Assistant Director of the Information Department, on behalf of the Director of Information, the Ministry said the move was not part of any official government policy but a response to concerns raised by the staff themselves.
“The Ministry’s attention is drawn to the internal circular of the Human Resource Management Department being circulated by online media,” the statement began.
“In this regard, the ministry wishes to inform the public that the prayer session is an initiative of the Human Resource Department to address the wellbeing of the staff just as the already existing monthly aerobic exercise and establishment of the gymnasium in the ministry are for physical fitness as the regular medical check-up of staff are for their health.”
According to the Ministry, the prayer sessions were intended to calm widespread anxiety among employees over the recent deaths and to promote collective well-being.
“The prayer was to address the apprehensiveness of staff over the recent untimely and successive death of management staff of the Ministry.”
“The staff also deemed it not out of place to pray for the country, hence the theme of the prayer sessions ‘Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development’,” the statement added.
Clarifying further, the Ministry emphasized that the decision to organize prayer sessions was not an official strategy for tackling agricultural or food security issues in Nigeria.
“It must be emphasized that this is NOT an official policy by the Ministry to address agriculture and food security issues in the country.”
“But in response to the yearnings of staff who are apprehensive following the death of some of their colleagues in recent times,” the statement concluded.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to staff welfare through ongoing wellness initiatives such as routine medical check-ups and fitness programs, alongside spiritual support for those seeking it during a difficult period.
