Nigeria Food Crisis 2024: 26.5 Million at Risk of Starvation – A Wake-Up Call

In a shocking report unveiled in Abuja, a dire prediction paints a grim picture for Nigeria as approximately 26.5 million citizens across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) stand on the precipice of an acute food crisis. The implications of this revelation are nothing short of alarming.

A Collapsing Nation

The turmoil facing Nigeria is multidimensional. The removal of fuel subsidies, the overhaul of the naira, devastating floods, and relentless conflict and insecurity are fueling a crisis of unprecedented proportions. The nation’s ability to withstand this impending disaster is under grave threat.

A Looming Humanitarian Catastrophe

The harrowing reality is that approximately 26.5 million people, including 528,000 Internally Displaced Persons, spread across 26 states and the FCT, are expected to plunge into a state of crisis or worse between June and August 2024. The lives and well-being of millions of Nigerians, including those who have already faced displacement, are hanging in the balance.

A Warning from International Authorities

During the report’s presentation, Dominique Koffy, the UN FAO Representative in Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), shared a chilling account of fieldwork conducted in the country. He underscored the imminent lean season from June to August 2024, which threatens to push households into the crisis phase of food consumption.

Rising fuel prices, inflation rates, and soaring food production costs have led to a dramatic decline in household food stocks. Over 60% of households now report diminished stocks, with more than 35% having no reserves left compared to the previous year and the five-year average of livelihood evaluation.

Nature’s Wrath and Economic Strain

Matured, ready-to-harvest crop fields in states severely affected by flash floods, including Kogi, Taraba, Plateau, and Niger, have been washed away. In crisis-affected states like Adamawa, Borno, Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, and parts of Benue and Plateau, limited production activities are reported. While global market stocks seem stable, escalating food prices continue to deny access to food across all analyzed states.

Malnutrition Crisis Unfolds

The misery doesn’t end with food scarcity. From May to September 2023, the North-East and North-West regions are grappling with severe nutrition crises. The situation is nothing short of a humanitarian disaster, where millions of lives hang in the balance.

This is a grim reminder that Nigeria stands at the precipice of a humanitarian catastrophe. The clock is ticking, and immediate action is imperative to avert the looming tragedy. The plight of millions cannot be ignored.