Nigeria is grappling with an escalating food security crisis, as a recent World Bank report indicates that over one million additional individuals are experiencing severe food insecurity in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The newly published Food Security Update Report underscores that nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Yemen have witnessed a notable increase in the number of people facing acute food shortages.
In contrast, some countries have shown improvement. Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Kenya reported reductions in food insecurity, with over one million fewer individuals experiencing acute food crises, although these nations still contend with significant food challenges.
Conversely, 18 countries have seen deteriorating conditions due to intensified conflicts and climate-related shocks, including droughts. Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Yemen stand out as examples, each reporting an increase of more than one million people experiencing high levels of food insecurity compared to the previous year.
The report attributes Nigeria’s escalating crisis to a blend of climate-related challenges and socio-political instability across various regions.
In Nigeria, approximately 1.6 million hectares of land have been submerged, affecting 342,650 hectares of arable land and impacting 685,770 vulnerable individuals. Similarly, in Mali, 344,000 people have been affected, with 1.6 million hectares of land flooded, nearly 500,000 hectares of which are cultivated land.
Countries such as Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo have also experienced flooding. Additionally, northern and northeastern Nigeria and Ghana are facing dry spells, adversely affecting crop yields and exacerbating food insecurity.
Overall, floods and droughts have impacted around 3.5 million people in need of emergency assistance. It is estimated that $50 million is required to support 760,200 communities in meeting their essential food needs.
The report highlights that domestic food price inflation in Nigeria remains among the highest in the world, with food prices surging by 37.5% year-on-year as of August 2024. This increase has strained household budgets, making it increasingly challenging for low-income families to afford basic food items.
The World Bank has called for urgent interventions to address the immediate food needs of those affected.
