The World Bank’s recent Food Security Update Report sounds the alarm on Nigeria’s escalating food crisis, with an additional 1 million people plunged into severe food insecurity in 2024.
This alarming increase places Nigeria alongside Ethiopia and Yemen as countries facing significant escalations in food security challenges.
The report Highlights the dire situation of the situation in Nigeria, where a complex interplay of factors has contributed to the growing crisis. Climate-induced issues, coupled with socio-political instability in various regions, have exacerbated the country’s food security woes.
“Notable examples include Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Yemen, each witnessing an increase of more than one million people facing high levels of food insecurity from the previous year,” the World Bank report states, underscoring the severity of the situation.
The impact of environmental factors on Nigeria’s agricultural sector has been particularly devastating.
According to the report, “In Nigeria, an estimated 1.6 million hectares of land have been inundated, including 342,650 hectares of cropland, affecting 685,770 vulnerable individuals.”
This extensive flooding has not only destroyed crops but also displaced communities, further straining the country’s food production capabilities.
While some nations like Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Kenya have seen improvements in their food security situations, Nigeria’s crisis continues to deepen.
The report attributes this to a combination of factors, including “intensified conflict and climate-related shocks, such as droughts.”
The food crisis is not limited to Nigeria alone.
The report highlights that the broader West African region is grappling with similar challenges. “Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo have also faced flooding, and northern and northeastern Nigeria and Ghana are experiencing dry spells, with adverse effects on crop production and thus food insecurity,” the report notes.
The scale of the crisis is staggering, with the World Bank estimating that “floods and droughts have affected approximately 3.5 million people, who require emergency support.” The financial implications are equally daunting, with the report stating, “It is estimated that $50m is needed to help 760,200 communities meet their basic food needs.”
Adding to the burden of food insecurity is the soaring cost of food items in Nigeria. The report reveals that “domestic food price inflation in Nigeria remains among the highest globally, with food prices increasing by 37.5% year-on-year as of August 2024.”
This dramatic price surge has put immense pressure on household incomes, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford even basic food items.
The closure of borders and recent economic reforms have led to a “double whammy” for the local population, as described in the report.
“Food prices explode under the combined effect of new movement restrictions and galloping inflation after the Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in office since May, implemented economic reforms which plunged the country into crisis,” the report explains.
The World Bank has called for urgent intervention to address the immediate food needs of affected populations.
As Nigeria grapples with this escalating crisis, the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions becomes increasingly apparent.
The situation demands not only immediate relief efforts but also long-term strategies to enhance food security, improve agricultural resilience, and address the underlying socio-economic factors contributing to this dire situation.
