The United Nations has again predicted that 82 million Nigerians, about 64% of the country’s population, may go hungry by 2030.
Speaking recently at the launch of CropWatch in Abuja, the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, represented by one of the UN officials, Taofiq Braimoh, said, “The government of Nigeria, in collaboration with others, conducts an annual food security survey. This year’s results are alarming: approximately 22 million Nigerians will face food insecurity in 2024, and around 80-82 million are at risk of severe food insecurity by 2030.
“Nigeria, like many countries, grapples with food insecurity, climate change, unreliable water patterns, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity. As an agrarian society, our farms’ success directly impacts food availability for our population. Leveraging technology is crucial to strengthening our agriculture sector and ensuring food security.”
However, given Nigeria’s current economic and social indicators, one might question whether the UN's predictions are conservative. Several critical factors suggest that the number of Nigerians facing food insecurity could be even higher by 2030.
- Rising food inflation
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s food inflation rate hit a record high of 40.66% in May 2024, surpassing the previous month’s increase of 40.53%.
This surge represents the largest year-on-year increase in food prices since records began in 1996.
Historically, food inflation in Nigeria has averaged 13.42%, with the lowest point of -17.50% in January 2000. The relentless climb in food prices directly affects the affordability and accessibility of essential food items for millions of Nigerians.
- Increasing poverty rates
The World Bank reported that Nigeria’s poverty rate increased to 46% in December 2023, translating to 104 million Nigerians living in poverty. This is a significant rise from the 40% poverty rate in 2018, where the number of poor individuals stood at 79 million. The sharp increase in poverty levels over a relatively short period underscores a deteriorating economic situation, further compounded by escalating food prices.
- Declining purchasing power
Another critical factor is the declining purchasing power of Nigerians. An article from Vanguard in May 2024 highlighted that low purchasing power is driving Nigerians to resort to swapping goods, including mobile phones, as prices continue to rise. This trend indicates that the average Nigerians’ ability to afford basic necessities, including food, is diminishing, leading to increased vulnerability to food insecurity.
Read also: #TinubuMustGo: Aggrieved Nigerians demand that president step down
Questions that arise
Given these factors, several pressing questions need to be raised:
- With food inflation at record highs and showing no signs of abating, is the UN’s projection of 82 million Nigerians at risk of hunger by 2030 too optimistic?
- Considering the rapid increase in the poverty rate, how will the government and other stakeholders address the needs of an ever-growing number of impoverished citizens?
- As purchasing power continues to decline, what immediate and long-term measures can be taken to ensure that Nigerians can afford basic food items?
- How can technological advancements in agriculture be accelerated and effectively implemented to combat these growing challenges?
- Are current agricultural policies and practices sufficient to mitigate the impacts of climate change, pest infestations, and unreliable water patterns on food production?
How are Nigerians reacting to this?
In response to the alarming prediction, reactions across the country reflect a mix of concern, urgency, and calls for immediate action. As economic indicators suggest an even more severe scenario, discussions are intensifying on social media. See some of them:
@joymichaels20: Good so we will have 82 million Nigerians in the street protesting by force.
@prospermoble2: Do you mean 82 million Nigerians are already plunged into hunger.....
@keyeopene: Wrong statistics cos more than 82 million Nigerians are hungry right now.
@KingOftheLand24: Nigerians it time to enter farm, Got all protective gear that you need to protect yourself and go farming if not go all go...If I get small 20k na to start farming for Ikeja Lagos
@anuforo: Has the government of Nigeria taken note of this warning? Instead, they are looking for a shortcut by advising Nigerians to embrace modified agriculture without specifically unlining the dangers this food production system will impose on the health of over 250 million Nigerians.
@IEnakhena: My prayers is that this doesn’t happen. (82M at risk of severe food shortages) This govt must realize, that there’s so much that starving citizens can’t or can take. A starving person is the most dangerous humankind..
Bottomline
While the UN’s predictions are alarming, the current trajectory of Nigeria’s economic indicators suggests an even graver situation could unfold if urgent actions are not taken. Addressing these concerns requires a multifaceted approach, leveraging technology, improving agricultural practices, and implementing policies that bolster economic stability and resilience. Only through coordinated efforts can Nigeria hope to avert a deeper food security crisis in the years ahead.