From Bananas on Walls to Feeding the World : Alternative Ways to Spend $6.2 Million

Recently, Chinese cryptocurrency businessman Justin Sun made headlines for buying a $6.2 million art piece consisting of a banana duct-taped to a wall. Sun eventually ate the “art” and boasted about the stunt on social media. While no one has the right to dictate how individuals spend their wealth, many Nigerians might aptly describe such an expense as “money miss road” — a phrase for extravagant and misplaced spending.

The irony of this situation lies in the subject of the art itself: a banana, a fruit symbolic of nutrition and sustenance. While it’s not my intention to criticize Sun, this moment offers an opportunity to explore how that same $6.2 million could make a profound difference by addressing hunger and malnutrition — particularly for millions of women and children globally. Such an act wouldn’t diminish Sun’s global visibility, but it would carry far more meaning: saving lives, improving well-being, and leaving a lasting legacy.

According to the 2024 State of Global Food Insecurity and Hunger report, 733 million people worldwide are suffering from hunger. Additionally, nearly 2.33 billion people — almost 29% of the world’s population — struggle with food insecurity, meaning they lack reliable access to nutritious food necessary for a healthy, active life.

Food insecurity arises when individuals cannot afford food or when access to it is limited. The problem varies in severity across the globe:

In the U.S., food insecurity rose from 12.8% of households in 2022 to 13.5% in 2023. In rural areas, it climbed even higher, from 14.7% to 15.4% in the same period.

In China, despite significant progress, approximately 35 million people (under 2.5% of the population) remain undernourished, and 4.2% of children under five (around 3 million) are stunted.

In Nigeria, the crisis is severe. By 2025, an estimated 33 million people (30% of the population) will experience acute food insecurity. Alarmingly, the number of Nigerians facing emergency hunger levels is expected to nearly double.

To put the $6.2 million into perspective: In the U.S., households spend an average of $615 annually on fresh fruits and vegetables, based on 2019 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. With this amount, Sun’s $6.2 million could provide 10,000 struggling families with enough fruits and vegetables to sustain them for an entire year. In comparison, the Nigerian federal government allocated approximately $10.5 million for nutrition programs in its 2024 budget — just slightly more than the cost of a single banana art piece.

Now, imagine the impact of similar investments in countries like Nigeria or regions with even greater food insecurity. With $6.2 million, millions of children could receive life-saving nutrition interventions, from vitamin supplementation to fortified foods. School feeding programs could be scaled, ensuring children attend classes with full stomachs, ready to learn and thrive.

Hunger is not merely a lack of food — it is a barrier to health, education, and economic productivity. Redirecting such resources toward solving food insecurity transforms lives and creates ripple effects: healthier children, empowered women, and stronger economies.

While art has value in culture and society, let us reflect on the potential of investments that feed the hungry and uplift the most vulnerable.

In a world where over 700 million people are starving, $6.2 million is more than money: it is hope, health, and opportunity.