The findings, disclosed by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, highlight the severe impact on food availability and the resulting malnutrition affecting women and children.
A new study conducted by international development partners has revealed that over 31.8 million Nigerians are facing acute food shortages, exacerbated by ongoing security challenges and the removal of fuel subsidies.
The findings, disclosed by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, highlight the severe impact on food availability and the resulting malnutrition affecting women and children.
The study, presented at a meeting between development partners and the government, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the crisis.
The findings reveal an increase from the 18.6 million people identified as vulnerable to acute food insecurity between October and December 2023 by the U.N. World Food Programme.
The ministry explained that the rise in food prices, driven by the removal of fuel subsidies and ongoing security issues, has left millions of Nigerians in a dire situation.
Bandit raids involving armed attackers have forced many farmers to abandon their fields, exacerbating food price increases and inflation, contributing to Nigeria’s worst cost of living crisis in decades.
President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, removed fuel subsidies to reduce government spending, resulting in higher transportation costs.
The study, produced by development partners including the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the German development agency GIZ, utilised data from a nutrition analysis 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, noted that the study highlighted gaps, successes, and challenges, and provided recommendations for addressing the issues.
