Over 31.8 million Nigerians are currently experiencing acute food insecurity, according to a joint study by the Nigerian government and international development partners. The alarming figure, released Tuesday, highlights the devastating impact of security challenges and the recent removal of fuel subsidies on the country’s population.
The study, presented during a meeting between government officials and development partners, revealed a significant increase in the number of Nigerians facing food vulnerability. In the previous assessment conducted by the United Nations World Food Programme, only 18.6 million people were identified as acutely food insecure.
The government attributed the surge in food insecurity primarily to the removal of fuel subsidies, which has led to a sharp rise in the cost of transportation and subsequently, food prices. Additionally, ongoing security threats, such as raids by armed bandits, have forced many farmers to abandon their fields, further exacerbating the food crisis.
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to eliminate fuel subsidies, implemented in May 2023 as part of his economic reform agenda, has had a profound impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The move, while aimed at reducing government spending, has resulted in a significant increase in the cost of living for millions.
The study, conducted by organizations including the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the German development agency GIZ, utilized data from the Cadre Harmonise, a regional food security framework.
Sanjo Faniran, Nigeria’s national convener of Food Systems and director of social development in the budget and economic planning ministry, emphasized the importance of the study in identifying gaps, successes, and challenges, as well as offering valuable recommendations for addressing the food security crisis.