31.8m Nigerians face acute hunger as food prices rise by 262.98%

Over 31.8 million Nigerians, especially women and children, are currently facing acute hunger and malnutrition.

According to statistics provided by the 2024 Cadre Harmonise report, the surge in food commodity prices, which is as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy in addition to security challenges, has placed millions of Nigerians in a precarious situation.

Just yesterday the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its Selected Food Prices Watch for July 2024, noted that prices of staple food soared to over 200 per cent in the last one year.

According to the report, the average retail price of 1kg of brown beans stood at N2,444.81, indicating a price rise of 262.98 per cent on a year-on-year basis from N673.53 it sold in July 2023.

The price of 1kg of tomato rose by 203.57 per cent from N557.96 in July last year to N1,693.83 in July 2024.

The price of 1kg of garri, a popular food among Nigerians also soared by 167.98 per cent from N429.89 in July last year to N1,151.79 in July 2024.

Development partners, which include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), GAIN, GIZ, and Agsys, at a two-day Joint review meeting in Abuja on implementation of the Food systems in Nigeria, which ended yesterday, warned that unless urgent action was taken by the government, Nigeria may experience one of the worst cases of human starvation in history.

The stakeholders advocated for a multi-sectoral approach of collaboration in tackling food security, noting that it has become a must, in addressing all the challenges simultaneously. They noted that civil society organizations including the private sector must be involved to extend the reach of nutrition efforts.

The partners, however, pledged their unalloyed support to transform the food system in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Emeka Vitalis Obi, while declaring the meeting open, said the objective of the meeting was to discuss the status of the implementation and for the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to make presentations in addition to giving updates on the activities implemented for the food transformation pathways, in Nigeria.

He appreciated the support of development partners, particularly GIZ and others for their dedication in moving the food system forward in Nigeria while noting that their collective efforts would continually lead to innovative solutions that would strengthen the food systems.

Earlier, the National Convener of Food Systems, in Nigeria and Director of Social Development, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Sanjo Faniran, in his welcome remarks, appreciated all stakeholders for their dedication in moving the food system forward in Nigeria.

He added that the review meeting was also to identify gaps, successes and challenges, offer recommendations as well as peer review, among MDAs.