Ugo Nwokolo Unveils New Book, Challenges Nigeria’s Culture of Rice Palliatives

Renowned actor, entrepreneur, public speaker and humanitarian, Ugo Nwokolo, has challenged Nigeria’s political leaders to move beyond the culture of distributing bags of rice as temporary relief for economic hardship and embrace sustainable policies capable of addressing the country’s deep-rooted challenges.

Nwokolo made the call on Thursday, 2026, in Abuja, during the official unveiling of his new book, Rice: The Panacea to All Nigeria’s Problems, a satirical work that examines governance, leadership, politics and the growing dependence on government handouts.

The event attracted prominent personalities from the political class, academia, security institutions, business community and entertainment industry.

Speaking at the launch, Nwokolo explained that the book is neither about cooking nor agriculture, but a thought-provoking commentary on how successive governments have resorted to distributing rice whenever Nigerians face economic difficulties, rather than addressing the underlying causes.

According to him, the practice reflects a troubling leadership culture in which temporary relief measures are presented as solutions to serious national problems, including inflation, unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare and inadequate infrastructure.

He maintained that meaningful national development must be driven by strong institutions, knowledge and sustained investment in critical sectors.

“How can a country blessed with such enormous human and natural resources continue to struggle with widespread poverty and economic hardship?

“We have human resources. We have crude oil. We have natural gas. We have vast arable land for agriculture. We have solid minerals and countless opportunities waiting to be explored.

“Yet, millions of Nigerians struggle to feed their families, pay school fees, access quality healthcare, secure decent employment, and live with dignity,” he lamented.

The author urged the government to prioritise human capital development through increased investment in agriculture, education, healthcare, electricity, transportation and job creation.

He also advocated improved funding for farmers, provision of modern agricultural equipment and fertilisers, rehabilitation of hospitals and student hostels, as well as better welfare packages for lecturers, healthcare workers and students.

Delivering the keynote address, public affairs commentator Henry Shield attributed some of Nigeria’s governance challenges to weak citizen participation, particularly among young people, whom he urged to become more involved in monitoring government activities.

Shield argued that unemployment, insecurity, deteriorating infrastructure and poor public services would persist unless Nigerians demanded greater transparency in public spending and strengthened institutional accountability.

He stressed that democratic participation should not end at the ballot box, noting that citizens must consistently monitor elected officials throughout their four-year tenure.

Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour and Chief Host, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, commended Nwokolo for the publication, describing it as a valuable contribution to knowledge and public enlightenment.

He encouraged the author to sustain his efforts towards sensitising Nigerians, particularly young people, on their civic responsibilities and the importance of holding public officeholders accountable.

Reviewing the book, Dr. Tobenna Obianno described its publication as timely, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Obianno argued that the recurring distribution of rice as a response to national challenges amounts to the weaponisation of poverty, as it encourages dependence on political handouts instead of economic empowerment.

“Instead of building an economy where citizens can afford to buy their own food, branded palliatives keep people dependent on government charity while underlying crises, such as the collapse of the power grid, decaying healthcare, and inflation remain unaddressed,” he said.

He urged Nigerian youths to take greater interest in governance, monitor public expenditure and demand that national resources translate into tangible improvements in their communities.

The reviewer recommended the publication to universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, political institutions, civil society organisations, libraries and legislative bodies, describing it as a useful resource for stimulating discussions on leadership and national development.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Occasion and Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, Prof. Biodun Adeniyi, who also wrote the book’s foreword, criticised the continued reliance on rice distribution to cushion the effects of economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal.

Adeniyi maintained that sharing food items whenever economic difficulties arise cannot substitute for a comprehensive development strategy.

He called on the government to formulate realistic economic policies that prioritise citizens’ welfare, strengthen institutions and provide lasting relief for struggling households.

The book launch also attracted Nigerian comedian Josh2Funny, real estate entrepreneur Engr. Dr. Fred Ekwumife, businessman Charles Obinna and other distinguished guests.