26 Million Nigerians Face Acute Hunger; 4 Big Ideas to Tackle the Food Crisis in 2025
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Loading... - Mary Olukoya
- 14 Jan 2025
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Food security in Nigeria is at a critical juncture and requires urgent attention. Over 26 million people out of an estimated population of 229.5 million faced acute hunger between June and August 2024. Approximately 84 million Nigerians, or 37% of the total population, live below the poverty line, which severely restricts households' ability to purchase or produce sufficient nutritious food. The 2023 Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria 109th out of 125 countries, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Food prices in Nigeria have surged dramatically over the past three years, with food inflation reaching 40.7%, the highest level in the past 25 years. Overall inflation currently stands at 34.2%, the highest in 28 years, making it increasingly difficult for millions of Nigerians to access adequate nutrition. Factors such as conflict, economic instability, climate change, and a lack of coordination within the food system have exacerbated the food security crisis. To achieve food security in Nigeria by 2025, a comprehensive approach is essential.
As an agricultural economist with research in food security, I propose four urgent actions that Nigeria must undertake to ensure its citizens have the food they need. First, creating a technology-driven innovation platform is crucial. A significant reason for food insecurity is the lack of coordination among key stakeholders, including government policymakers, researchers, farmers, agro-industries, agro-logistics, and consumers. An innovation platform at local, state, and federal levels would facilitate collaboration among these groups to achieve agricultural development goals. This platform would connect relevant players in the food value chain, allowing for better communication and understanding of the challenges faced by farmers, which researchers may not be aware of. A bottom-up approach, rather than a top-down one, would be more beneficial in achieving food security.
Second, revitalizing the river basin development authorities is essential. Nigeria is endowed with abundant water resources, yet these are not managed effectively to support farming, especially in the context of climate change. The 12 river basin authorities established in 1976 were intended to harness and develop the nation’s water resources to boost rural development. However, inadequate government support has hindered their objectives. Revitalizing these authorities would ensure that water is available for agricultural irrigation, enabling farmers to produce crops year-round around dams and rivers.
Third, leveraging Nigeria’s comparative advantages in agriculture is vital. The country’s diverse agroecological zones, including rainforest, savanna, derived savanna, and mangrove, offer unique opportunities for crop and livestock production. The latest government agricultural policy, the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, should focus on region-specific agriculture to enhance economic growth through surplus production and trade. Organizing farmers into local cooperatives with incentives for production would further support this initiative.
Finally, investing in innovation and technology is crucial for improving agricultural productivity. The government should allocate resources to advanced agricultural tools such as precision farming, drones, and data analytics. These technologies can help farmers optimize resource use, monitor crop health, and increase yields. Additionally, implementing irrigation technology and enhancing value addition through agro-processing can make supply chains more efficient, reduce food waste, and ensure that fresh produce reaches consumers. Climate-smart technologies will also enable farmers to adapt to changing conditions, further strengthening food security.
In conclusion, addressing the food crisis in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach that includes creating an innovation platform, revitalizing water management systems, leveraging agricultural advantages, and investing in technology. By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can work towards achieving food security and improving the lives of millions of its citizens by 2025.
