The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a dire warning about the escalating food crisis in Nigeria. The agency predicts that a staggering 33 million Nigerians will face acute food insecurity in 2025, a significant surge from the current 25 million.
“Never before have there been so many people in Nigeria without food,” emphasized Chi Lael, WFP spokesperson for Nigeria. The confluence of factors, including devastating floods, a prolonged insurgency in the northeast, and the recent removal of fuel subsidies, has pushed millions to the brink of starvation.
The removal of fuel subsidies has led to a staggering 500% increase in fuel prices, subsequently driving up the cost of staple foods by 100-300%. This has rendered basic necessities unaffordable for the 90 million Nigerians living on less than $2 a day.
Compounding the crisis, recent floods have ravaged 1.6 million hectares of farmland, jeopardizing the food security of 13 million people annually.
To avert a catastrophic food and nutrition crisis, the WFP calls for immediate and comprehensive action. The agency prioritizes providing life-saving food assistance to the most vulnerable populations over the next six months. Additionally, it advocates for preventative measures, such as supporting farmers with cash, seeds, and fertilizer, to mitigate future crises.
The WFP stresses the need for a collective response involving international partners, Nigerian civil society, the private sector, and government entities at both state and federal levels. By working together, they can potentially avert a humanitarian disaster of immense proportions.