25 million Nigerians at risk of acute food crisis: Tinubu responds

Nigeria and 8 other countries have been listed as countries of highest concern for hunger. This was revealed in a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme. 

In the Report “Hunger Hotspots FAO‑WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity: June to November 2023 outlook”, this projected acute food insecurity is attributed to economic shocks, insecurity, displacement and flood. 

On account of these, about 24.8 million are projected to experience acute food insecurity in 26 states, including the FCT. 

During the approaching June to August 2023 lean season, 24.8 million people are anticipated to experience Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Phase 3 and above, which denotes crisis or, worse, acute food insecurity, while 1.1 million are anticipated to be in CH Phase 4, which denotes emergency phase. 

A lack of food supply is referred to as food insecurity. This suggests that prices will increase, making it expensive to purchase the available food. The country could become more unstable since people’s access to food, care, feeding, and healthcare may be limited. 

In Nigeria, food insecurity has always been a problem. The cost of food has significantly increased for Nigerians over time, with a food inflation rate of 24.82%. According to a report by the American University, Food prices are part of the food security equation, and in Nigeria, so far, there have been hikes. 

Food inflation in Nigeria has increased by 155 per cent from May 2014 to May 2023. This indicates that prices of goods and consumables have doubled over the past ten years. Insecurity, natural disasters and the high cost of transportation are factors underlying Nigeria’s hike in consumable goods. 

What factors are responsible for the projected food insecurity?

The inability of farmers to operate on their farms is a result of insecurity brought on by terrorism, territorial disputes, and kidnapping. Markets and agricultural operations are likely to be disrupted by insecurity, leading to food insecurity and a shortage in the food supply.

According to some reports, several farmers abandoned their farms out of concern for their safety. Businessday reported the case of wheat farmers in northeastern Nigeria who abandoned their farms under the assault of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency. This caused setbacks for the nation’s efforts to cut imports by boosting local production and heavily impacted food security. 

Another justification for the projected increase in food insecurity is the forecast of floods in significant areas of Nigeria. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) predicted massive flooding in every region of the country. The organisation encouraged the government to heed this warning, noting that some states still struggle to recover from the flooding that hit most of Nigeria’s states in 2022.

27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states, including the FCT, were impacted by floods in 2022. According to reports and studies, it submerged 108,392 hectares of arable land across Nigeria, impacting its food supply. 

This suggests that another event of flooding in Nigeria could lead to a shortage of food supply and, in turn, food insecurity.  

The FAO and WFP report also predicts above-average precipitation in the north, the risk of flooding in the west, and below-average precipitation in the middle belt and the south.

The  FAO and WFP report also points out that weak macroeconomic conditions might contribute to food insecurity in Nigeria. Due to the CBN’s decision to redesign the Nigerian naira, which had a detrimental impact on economic activity in the first quarter of 2023, cash was short. Additionally, currency market distortions contributed to the uncertain fiscal situation, low growth, and high inflation.

Food insecurity poses a challenge to the Nigerian population, as seen by the country’s ongoing increase in food inflation, which indicates a precarious and unsustainable food supply. 

The four pillars of food security, availability, access, utilisation, and stability, are all at risk due to instability, extreme weather conditions like flooding and excessive rain, and a fragile macroeconomic environment. 

President Tinubu’s Rapid Response

It’s reassuring to hear that President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency on food security and is taking action.

President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on food security this Thursday. This directive places all matters related to food and water accessibility and affordability within the National Security Council’s purview. He also authorised the immediate release of farm inputs such as fertilizers and grains to farmers to ensure adequate supply of farm produce in the coming months. 

The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake said the President’s decision has been made after thorough consultations with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.

President Tinubu emphasized that seasonal farming is no longer acceptable, and farming downtime is no longer an option. To ensure that food is available all year round, he has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to work together to guarantee adequate irrigation of farmlands. 

Mr Alake also said the Federal Government will partner with states to create ranches in those willing to avail lands, boosting the agricultural sector. The ranches will have sections dedicated as grazing reserves, further emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring food security and the well-being of its citizens.

“We shall create and support a National Commodity Board that will review and continuously assess food prices as well as maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as a price stabilisation mechanism for critical grains and other food items. Through this board, the government will moderate spikes and dips in food prices,” he further explained.

The Board’s stakeholders include the National Commodity Exchange, Seed companies, National Seed Council and Research institutes, microfinance banks, food processing/agric processing associations, private sector holders and prime anchors, smallholder farmers, crop associations and fertilizer producers, blenders and suppliers’ associations, among others.

Let’s hope these measures bring relief to those who are struggling to put food on the table.