Rising insecurity threatens Nigeria’s food security, experts warn
By Samuel Zedward
Experts have raised concerns over the impact of persistent insecurity on agricultural activities in Nigeria, particularly in the northern and central regions, warning that the situation is worsening food insecurity across the country.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has projected that about 30.6 million people in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will face acute food and nutrition insecurity. The development has been attributed to sustained insecurity, economic hardship and the growing effects of climate hazards.
According to available data, the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe account for about 15 per cent, or 3.7 million people, of Nigeria’s food-insecure population, while the north-west represents 17 per cent, estimated at 4.2 million people.
The humanitarian situation has been further compounded by violence targeting farming communities. Reports indicate that more than 1,356 farmers have been killed in recent years, while about 2.6 million people have been displaced, leading to reduced agricultural output and rising food prices.
Sustained insecurity arising from insurgency and communal clashes has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, disrupting food production. In addition, economic hardship marked by high costs of farm inputs and soaring food prices has worsened the challenges faced by households.
Climate-related hazards, including droughts, floods and soil degradation, have also negatively affected agricultural productivity, contributing to increased malnutrition, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.
Experts warn that the combined effects of insecurity, economic pressures and climate change pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s food security, with limited access to affordable and nutritious food for millions of citizens.
They have called for urgent action by governments at all levels, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to address the root causes of insecurity, support affected farmers and ensure food availability and accessibility for Nigerians in the new year.