By Ndujihe Clifford Chiebuka
Nigeria is on the brink of a devastating hunger crisis, with an estimated 133.1 million people expected to face severe food insecurity by 2025 ¹. This alarming projection is driven by economic hardship, record-high inflation, climate change, and persistent violence in northeastern states.
Key Factors Contributing to the Crisis:
- Economic hardship: Nigeria’s economic struggles have significantly impacted food security.
- Record-high inflation: Food inflation reached 40.9% in June 2024, exacerbating the crisis.
- Climate change: Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have affected agricultural productivity.
- Persistent violence: Ongoing conflicts in northeastern states have disrupted food production and distribution.
Vulnerable Populations:
- 5.4 million children and nearly 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are at risk of acute malnutrition or wasting.
- 1.8 million children could face Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and require critical nutrition treatment.
The United Nations is urging the Nigerian Government, donors, and stakeholders to commit resources and implement measures to avert a potential food and nutrition disaster, emphasizing the need for immediate multi-sectoral support across the nation.
