Averting Nigeria’s Imminent Food Crisis

The situation with food shortages looms large over Nigeria. Recent reports from local and international agencies raise alarm about the growing food insecurity in the country. This problem is made even worse by issues like security challenges and environmental disasters. According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the number of Nigerians facing food insecurity jumped from 63.8 million between 2014 and 2016 to 148.7 million between 2020 and 2022. It’s a harsh reality that needs urgent attention and action. According to the United Nations World Food Programme, 24.8 million Nigerians suffered from acute hunger in 2023, affecting 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Predictions revealed that it could worsen in 2024, with estimates suggesting it might reach 26.5 million people. However, the latest information from the International Rescue Committee and its partners is even more worrying, saying about 32 million Nigerians (about 16% of the population) will face acute food insecurity or hunger between June and August. The statistics are higher than the 26 million citizens predicted to suffer from food insecurity by UNICEF. It is a grim forecast, and the federal and state governments must take it seriously and be ready to deal with it.

The increasing insecurity in different parts of Nigeria gravely affects farming, worsening the looming food crisis. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network has pointed out that the conflicts in the North East and North West are significant contributors to food insecurity. From the Northern to the Southern parts of the country, violent conflicts make farming very dangerous. This has led to many farmers being forced off their land and has disrupted the nation’s food supply chain. In the North East, where the Boko Haram insurgency is predominant, and the North West, where banditry is rife, farming communities are suffering the most. Farmers constantly face the threat of being kidnapped, extorted, or even killed, which has forced many to leave their fields and find safety elsewhere.

Environmental disasters have made the food crisis in Nigeria even worse. Heavy rainfall and floods have become a yearly problem, flooding farmlands, destroying crops, and disrupting transportation networks needed to distribute agricultural produce. In recent years, authorities have repeatedly issued warnings to people in flood-prone areas to temporarily leave their homes to escape the damaging impact of flash floods and the release of water from the dam in neighbouring Cameroon. These natural disasters harm agricultural production and disrupt market access, worsening food scarcity.

To avert the imminence of the food crisis in Nigeria, the root causes should be tackled while immediate relief measures are implemented. Federal and state governments must restore peace and security, especially in conflict-affected areas, to enable agricultural activities devoid of the dangers farming communities face. Secondly, rural infrastructural development projects such as transportation networks and food storage facilities are essential for boosting the nation’s agricultural sector and reducing post-harvest losses. These efforts could be catalysed through private-sector partnerships, thus attracting investments in agriculture, small-medium enterprises (SMEs), mining activities, and power generation.

In its way towards food security, Nigeria may learn from examples of successful policies deployed by countries that have addressed food insecurity. The 2022 Global Food Security Index shows Finland, Ireland, Norway and France as top performers. In addition, collaboration with non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations worldwide can provide useful ideas, technical assistance, and additional means to improve the food security situation. By fostering synergies in this area, Nigeria could benefit from a wealth of experiences and best practices to ensure its efforts are based on well-researched strategies and global knowledge. These countries have invested heavily in food production, research, development, and innovation while promoting different local food systems and distribution channels. The federal nature of countries like the United States has allowed individual states to adopt customised approaches by integrating farming systems. Establishing adequate institutional mechanisms to promote collaboration among key stakeholders is essential for effectively implementing food security measures. For instance, the federal government can improve collaborations with state governments by combining resources to develop plans that address each region’s unique situation.

Nigeria is currently on the brink of a food crisis. This requires a comprehensive tactic to tackle security challenges from its roots, invest in rural infrastructure, empower small farmers and employ innovative strategies to ensure sustainable food supplies. There is also a need to adopt agricultural methods or innovative food systems that are less vulnerable and resistant to climate change. As a roadmap on this journey, partnerships must be built among stakeholders with a resolution to surmount the obstacles that hindered improvement in the past. To avoid imminent food insecurity and enable every Nigerian citizen to afford food, Nigeria should tackle insecurity, pick lessons from global practices, build resilience, and put the well-being of its people first.