Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ As Nigeria braces for an unprecedented hunger crisis, more than 30 million people are projected to face food insecurity by next year—a troubling one-third increase from this year. The surge, highlighted in a joint report by the Nigerian government and the United Nations, traces back to a confluence of economic challenges and climate impacts. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has seen inflation and living costs skyrocket following President Bola Tinubu’s austerity reforms, including the removal of a decades-old fuel subsidy and a devaluation of the naira, which have heightened the cost-of-living crisis.
The comprehensive report, based on twice-yearly assessments across 26 states and the capital, indicates that 33.1 million people could struggle to access adequate food by next August, up from the current 24.8 million. The drivers, according to the report, include record-breaking food prices, surging transportation costs, and persistent economic hardships. Chi Lael, spokesperson for the World Food Programme in Nigeria, noted that while Tinubu’s economic reforms aim to stabilize the country long-term, they have exacerbated short-term financial pressures for families, particularly when purchasing essential items.
To counter the growing strain, Finance Minister Wale Edun revealed that approximately 5 million families have received cash relief payments of 25,000 naira ($15.45) as part of a government initiative targeting Nigeria’s most vulnerable households. However, analysts warn that these measures alone may not suffice, as the inflation rate continues to climb, reaching an annual high of 32.7% in September, up from 32.15% in August.
Agricultural setbacks are also impacting Nigeria’s food security. Flooding in the northern “food basket” regions wiped out an estimated 1.6 million hectares of crops, with maize, sorghum, and rice among the hardest hit. The crop losses could reduce Nigeria’s annual food production by 1.1 million tons, enough to meet the needs of 13 million people for a year, while also dealing a nearly $1 billion blow to the economy. As these compounding issues strain families’ access to basic nutrition, the path toward alleviating Nigeria’s food crisis appears complex.
The country faces an urgent need for holistic solutions, addressing not only immediate food relief but also enhancing resilience against economic and climate-driven challenges. Addressing Nigeria’s food insecurity requires a blend of sustainable agricultural investment, economic stability, and robust social support if the nation hopes to stave off this looming crisis.
