Nigeria Strives to Rescue 31.5 Million People Across 26 States from Food Crisis

The Federal Government of Nigeria has acknowledged that 24.7 million Nigerians across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are facing serious food and nutrition crises. The government is now working hard to tackle this challenging situation.This number is expected to rise to 31.5 million between May and August 2024, according to a report called Cadre Harmonize (CH-Phase 3), which was presented in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and CILSS. The report also warns that if immediate action is not taken, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) could increase from 14,000 to 83,846.The affected states are primarily in the North-East and North-West regions, including Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and others. States in other regions like the North-Central, South-West, South-South, and South-East are also facing food and nutrition crises to varying degrees.To address this crisis, the Federal Government is implementing various agricultural interventions to boost food production. This includes releasing 42,000 metric tonnes of grains from national reserves, such as maize and millet. Additionally, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria is contributing 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to the market.In response to protests and concerns about high food prices, President Bola Tinubu has announced initiatives such as supplying fertilisers to farmers, identifying land for cultivation, and elevating food and water issues to the National Security Council’s remit. The government has also approved a grant of N185 billion for the purchase of 100,000 bags of rice and other grains to distribute as relief.Various organizations and experts are urging more decisive action. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) President, Kabir Ibrahim, emphasized the need for increased food production and government support for farmers. The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) called for emergency food relief measures, agricultural support programs, and expanded social safety nets.ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, highlighted the need to address underlying causes of food insecurity, enhance security measures, stabilize the economy, and increase investment in agriculture.Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Executive Director, Awual Rafsanjani, stressed the importance of government intervention in agriculture, particularly in addressing insecurity and corruption.Experts like agriculturalist Daniel Ijeh and SWOFON National President Fatima Gunmi emphasized the need for addressing insecurity, subsidizing inputs, providing support to farmers, and reversing the fuel subsidy removal to stem the food crisis.In summary, the current food crisis in Nigeria is a pressing issue affecting millions of Nigerians. Urgent and comprehensive actions are needed from the government, including addressing insecurity, supporting farmers, stabilizing prices, and prioritizing food security to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations.