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Acute Hunger Is Expected for 31.5 Million Nigerians by June 2024
Acute Hunger Is Expected for 31.5 Million Nigerians by June 2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other partners collaborated with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release a report that included startling projections regarding the state of food insecurity in Nigeria. It is projected that 31.5 million Nigerians in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would experience severe hunger by the June–August 2024 lean season. Of these, 83,846 are internally displaced people (IDPs), which compounds the already serious vulnerability of the situation.
The report highlights that the northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa will be particularly affected, with millions of people in phase 3 of food and nutrition insecurity. This represents a significant increase from the earlier projection in November 2023, signaling a worsening crisis that demands urgent attention and action.
Numerous factors have been identified as contributing to this alarming food insecurity situation. Conflicts and insecurity in the north-east, north-central, and north-west regions, coupled with challenges such as fuel scarcity, currency devaluation, rising inflation, and the consumer price index, have exacerbated the already fragile food security landscape in the country.
Of particular concern are the serious nutrition implications for children under the age of 5, especially in states like Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The impact of food insecurity on the most vulnerable members of society cannot be overstated, and urgent measures are needed to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
During the presentation of the data, FAO country representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, emphasized the critical nature of the situation and the need for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to address the challenges at hand. While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Kouacou reassured the government of FAO’s continued support for sustaining programs aimed at alleviating food insecurity in the country.
The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Temitope Fashedemi, expressed optimism about the significant findings of the report and highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of food insecurity. Fashedemi underscored the importance of addressing environmental and human factors, such as climate change and displacement due to insecurity, in devising comprehensive solutions to the crisis.
Moving forward, it is imperative that all relevant stakeholders come together to develop and implement effective strategies to combat food insecurity in Nigeria. Collaboration between government agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and local communities will be crucial in addressing the multifaceted challenges that contribute to the crisis.
As we stand at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s fight against hunger, it is essential that we prioritize the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society and work towards sustainable solutions that ensure food security for all. The outcomes and recommendations of the report must guide policy decisions and interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of food insecurity on millions of Nigerians. Only through collective action and unwavering commitment can we avert a humanitarian disaster and build a more food-secure future for the nation.
