Over 31.8 million Nigerians are currently suffering from acute food insecurity, compounded by malnutrition among women and children, according to the 2024 Cadre Harmonise report. This alarming increase, from 18.6 million in late 2023, is largely attributed to the surge in food prices following the removal of fuel subsidies and ongoing security challenges.
Julie Osagie-Jacobs, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, highlighted the issue during a joint review meeting on the implementation of food systems in Nigeria, held from August 26-27, 2024. The report, developed with input from international partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), GAIN, GIZ, and Agsys, underscores the severity of the crisis.
“The surge in food commodity prices, which is a result of the removal of fuel subsidy in addition to security challenges, has placed millions of Nigerians in a precarious situation,” the ministry noted.
Stakeholders emphasized the need for a multi-sectoral approach to address the challenges, calling for collaboration among civil society organizations, the private sector, and government entities to extend the reach of nutrition efforts. The report also highlighted the importance of providing security for farmers, especially in Northern Nigeria, to ensure they can safely harvest their crops.
