Millions Of Nigerians Face Acute Food Shortages Amid Economic Hardship– Report.
A new report has revealed that no fewer than 31.8 million Nigerians experienced acute food shortages in 2024, the highest number in Africa and one of the largest globally. The Global Report on Food Crises, released by the Global Network Against Food Crises in collaboration with UNICEF and the Food Security Information Network, attributes this surge to persistent conflict, economic shocks, and extreme weather events.
Food Insecurity on the Rise
The report shows that an additional 6.9 million Nigerians were pushed into acute food insecurity during the year, accounting for 23% of the global increase. Over 30.8 million Nigerians were in the Crisis phase of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), while more than one million were in the Emergency phase. Flooding affected 1.2 million people and destroyed over 700,000 hectares of farmland, exacerbating the crisis.
Child Nutrition Suffers
The report also highlights the impact on child nutrition, with over 5.4 million Nigerian children under the age of five affected by acute malnutrition in 2024. Poor diets, limited access to clean water, and disruption to infant feeding due to displacement were among the contributing factors.
Structural Challenges Persist
The report notes that structural challenges persist, with widespread poor crop yields, economic hardship, and limited access to essential farming inputs. Food inflation remained high, and currency depreciation made it harder for many households to afford basic food items.
Humanitarian Response Efforts Under Strain
The report projects that 30.6 million Nigerians may continue to face crisis-level food insecurity during the upcoming lean season in 2025. Without urgent intervention, the situation is unlikely to improve significantly. The displacement of 3.4 million Nigerians and the hosting of around 100,000 refugees have placed increased pressure on humanitarian response efforts.
Call to Action
The report’s findings highlight the need for sustained support and intervention to address the root causes of food insecurity in Nigeria. The government, humanitarian organisations, and international partners must work together to provide emergency assistance, support agricultural development, and promote economic stability to alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians.
