Renowned multi-competency advisory firm, Nextier, has advised the Federal Government that a quick-fix approach would not do in addressing inflation, rising food prices and the looming food insecurity in Nigeria.
In reaction to the prevailing social upheavals arising from the economic hardship and government’s apparent knee-jerk efforts to contain the situation, Nextier recommended long-term commitment from the government and prudent economic policies.
It stressed that the political will to address the underlying causes of inflation remained a crucial step in stabilising prices and ensuring food affordability for all citizens.
A Policy and Research Consultant at Nextier, Ndidi Anyanwu, suggested in the latest report from the firm that expanding social safety nets, such as food assistance programmes, cash transfers, and other forms of support to vulnerable populations, can provide temporary relief to those most affected by rising prices.
According to her: “These safety nets alleviate immediate food insecurity and promote resilience among vulnerable communities, enabling them to withstand economic shocks and recover more quickly from crises.”
She contended that the multifaceted drivers of food insecurity in Nigeria underscore the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted interventions to address the pressing issue.
Anyanwu said, “The path to food security remains complex, demanding a shift from piecemeal solutions to a holistic, multi-pronged approach. Nigeria can unlock its agricultural potential by addressing the intertwined issues of climate change, economic disparities, infrastructure limitations, and population growth.
“Ultimately, achieving SDG 2 in Nigeria demands a collective effort, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to securing food for all.”
Continuing, she said, “In Nigeria, the scale of food insecurity has surged dramatically, rising by 133 per cent in three years. According to the FAO report, the number of Nigerians facing food insecurity escalated from 63.8 million between 2014 and 2016 to 148.7 million between 2020 and 2022, a trend likely to worsen. Despite substantial investments by the Nigerian government and interventions from international donor agencies aimed at bolstering food production, the situation remains dire.
“In response to escalating concerns, in July 2023, the Nigerian government declared food insecurity a national emergency and ordered the immediate release of fertilisers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the adverse effects of fuel subsidy removal.
“Furthermore, the government announced plans to enhance security measures to safeguard farmers from armed attacks and kidnappings. However, despite these efforts, challenges persist, and food insecurity looms large over the nation.”
On hunger haunting Nigerians, she said, “In contrast to some nations contending with singular issues such as drought or conflict, Nigeria faces a complex interplay of factors exacerbating one another’s detrimental effects. The country is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, evidenced by occurrences such as droughts, desertification, erosion, and floods.
“These occurrences threaten the availability and quality of essential resources, including land, water, and biodiversity. Flooding has become a recurring nightmare for countless Nigerians, particularly in the central and northern regions. Beyond the rising water levels, flooding triggers a cascade of devastating consequences for affected communities. In 2022, Nigeria witnessed its worst floods in a decade, impacting 3.2 million people across 34 of its 36 states. Over 600 fatalities were recorded, and about 1.4 million people were displaced.
“With over 569,000 hectares of farmland submerged, crops and livelihoods were destroyed. Moreover, the aftermath of flooding gives rise to outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid. This puts immense strain on fragile healthcare systems and jeopardises the lives of children and vulnerable populations.
“Beyond the unpredictable influence of weather patterns, Nigerians continue to face poverty and economic challenges. This goes beyond mere financial constraints but restricted access to essential resources such as fertilisers, improved seeds, and proper storage facilities.
“The situation is further compounded by unequal land distribution, where a few individuals own vast expanses while others grapple with cultivating a small plot. This stark contrast impedes agricultural productivity and denies millions of people access to nutritious food.
“Even with a good harvest, transporting them to the market is challenging. Post-harvest losses, estimated at 50 per cent, represent a significant missed opportunity for millions of people to access food. Nigeria’s rural infrastructure, characterised by bad roads and bridges, acts as a bottleneck for food distribution.
“States such as Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, and Plateau, which are among the top producers of grain in the country, have been grappling with recurring insecurity which reverberates across the country. Mangu Local Government Area, for instance, holds immense significance as it hosts the state’s largest and most commercial maize market.
“Communities in the area, in the last month (January 1- 31, 2014), have been attacked four times by armed gangs, and over 38 casualties have been recorded. The Mangu maize market serves as a vital hub for maize trading and exports to other states across Nigeria. The cost of maize directly influences the prices of poultry, spaghetti, and other carbohydrate products.
“The closure of over 50 per cent of poultry farms in 2023 has been attributed to the increased production costs resulting from the rise in maize prices, a critical ingredient in poultry feed production.”
Moreover, insecurity also affects transportation networks and market access, hindering food movement from surplus to deficit areas.
She recommended that the government should prioritise investment in agriculture as a fundamental pillar of addressing Nigeria’s entrenched food insecurity and that there is a need to empower women to make informed choices about their fertility, which can help stabilise population growth and contribute to long-term food security and sustainable development.
Besides, she said the government needs prudent economic policies and concerted efforts to address the underlying causes of inflation, which are vital in stabilising prices and ensuring food affordability for all citizens.
