A recent study by international development organizations has revealed that more than 31.8 million Nigerians are currently facing severe food shortages. This sharp increase is attributed to persistent security challenges and the removal of fuel subsidies, which have further strained food availability across the country.
The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning shared these findings, which highlight the dire consequences on food access and the escalating malnutrition crisis, particularly among women and children.
Presented during a meeting between government officials and development partners, the study stresses the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate the worsening food crisis.
The data shows a significant rise from the 18.6 million people who were classified as vulnerable to acute food insecurity between October and December 2023, according to the U.N. World Food Programme.
The ministry explained that the removal of fuel subsidies and ongoing security threats, including bandit attacks, have driven up food prices. These factors have forced many farmers to abandon their fields, leading to further food shortages, soaring inflation, and Nigeria’s most severe cost of living crisis in decades.
The decision to remove fuel subsidies was made by President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May 2023. The move was intended to reduce government spending but has resulted in higher transportation costs, which have further exacerbated the food crisis.
This study was conducted by several development partners, including the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the German development agency GIZ. The research utilized data from a nutrition analysis carried out by 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, commented that the study identified key gaps, successes, and challenges. He also provided recommendations on how to address these critical issues.
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