Nigeria faces food crisis as 31mn people struggle due to insecurity, rising costs

The report highlights that violent attacks by armed groups have forced many farmers to flee their fields, driving up food prices and worsening inflation in Nigeria.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: August 28, 2024 01:07 AM IST

2 min read

President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, eliminated fuel subsidies in an effort to cut government spending, leading to an increase in transportation costs. (File Photo)

A recent study involving multiple international development partners has revealed that more than 31.8 million Nigerians are now facing severe food shortages.

The Nigerian government reported on Tuesday that the crisis is being fueled by ongoing security challenges and the removal of fuel subsidies.

The findings, presented in meetings with government officials on Monday and Tuesday, indicate a sharp increase in food insecurity, with the number of affected people rising from 18.6 million between October and December 2023, as previously assessed by the UN World Food Programme.

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“The rise in food prices, caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and compounded by security issues, has left millions of Nigerians in a vulnerable position,” the ministry of budget and economic planning stated, as reported by Reuters.

The report highlights that violent attacks by armed groups have forced many farmers to flee their fields, driving up food prices and worsening inflation as Nigeria grapples with its most severe cost of living crisis in decades.

President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, eliminated fuel subsidies in an effort to cut government spending, leading to an increase in transportation costs.

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The study, carried out by organisations including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the German development agency GIZ, utilised data from Cadre Harmonise, a regional food security framework.

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Sanjo Faniran, Nigeria’s national convener of Food Systems and director of social development in the budget and economic planning ministry, noted that the study has been vital in identifying “gaps, successes, and challenges” while providing recommendations to address the crisis.

(with Reuters inputs)

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