Nigeria Loses N1.6 Trillion in Crops Due to Flooding as Over 30 Million Face Food Crisis

Flooding in Nigeria has wreaked havoc on agriculture, wiping out around 1.6 million hectares of crops, according to a report from the Nigerian government and the United Nations. The devastation has primarily affected states in northern Nigeria, known as the nation’s food basket.

The floods have led to a loss of approximately 1.1 million tonnes of key cereals, including maize, sorghum, and rice, as stated in the joint report. In financial terms, this loss equates to roughly N1.6 trillion, with a significant impact on the country’s food supply.

Looking ahead, the report projects that over 30 million Nigerians are at risk of food insecurity in the coming year. This represents a one-third increase from current figures, largely due to economic hardship.

Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is already grappling with surging inflation, particularly in food prices. Widespread protests have taken place as citizens feel the impact of government policies, such as the devaluation of the naira and the removal of fuel subsidies, which have contributed to escalating inflation.

The report, based on a biannual assessment conducted in 26 states and the federal capital, estimates that by August next year, 33.1 million Nigerians could be food insecure. This marks a rise from the 24.8 million expected to face similar conditions by the end of this year.

The joint statement cited several factors driving this trend, notably economic challenges coupled with record-breaking inflation, soaring food prices, and unprecedented transportation costs.

Chi Lael, a spokesperson for the World Food Programme in Nigeria, commented to Reuters, “While economic reforms aim to stabilize the nation in the long term, they’ve made an immediate dent in household budgets, particularly for essentials like food.”

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Wale Edun reported on Thursday that the government has distributed cash assistance of 25,000 naira (approximately $15.45) to 5 million households, targeting the country’s most vulnerable families.

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