Tuesday, 20 May 2025 04:41

Nigeria faces Africa's worst food crisis as 31.8m experience acute shortages, UNICEF, others report

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Nigeria is experiencing the continent's most severe food security crisis, with 31.8 million people suffering from acute food shortages in 2024, according to a newly released global assessment. This figure represents not only Africa's highest total but also ranks among the world's most severe food emergencies.

The Global Report on Food Crises, jointly published by the Global Network Against Food Crises, UNICEF, and the Food Security Information Network, identifies Nigeria as the country with the sharpest increase in food insecurity worldwide last year. An additional 6.9 million Nigerians fell into acute food insecurity during 2024—accounting for nearly a quarter (23%) of the global increase.

Multiple factors have converged to create this crisis, including:

- Persistent armed conflict disrupting agricultural activities

- Severe economic challenges affecting affordability of food

- Extreme weather events devastating farmland and crops

- Disruptions to farming and trade, particularly in northern regions

The report places Nigeria at the top of food insecurity rankings among 40 assessed countries and territories. Over 30.8 million Nigerians were classified in Phase 3 (Crisis) of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), while more than one million reached Phase 4 (Emergency) conditions.

Environmental Impact and Displacement

The crisis was significantly worsened by environmental disasters, with flooding affecting 1.2 million people and destroying over 700,000 hectares of agricultural land in 2024 alone. The northeastern and northwestern regions suffered the most severe impacts, with many communities experiencing displacement and broken food supply chains.

Child Nutrition Crisis

The food shortages have taken a devastating toll on children's health:

- 5.4 million Nigerian children under five affected by acute malnutrition

- 1.8 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition

- 84 locations across the northeast and northwest classified as having "Serious" or worse nutrition conditions

- 34 areas reaching "Critical" malnutrition status

Health experts attribute these outcomes to inadequate diets, limited access to clean water, and disruptions to infant feeding practices due to displacement.

Structural Challenges

The report highlights ongoing structural issues exacerbating the crisis, including poor crop yields, economic hardship, and limited access to essential farming inputs. Food inflation remained high throughout 2024, while currency depreciation further reduced households' purchasing power for basic food items.

The humanitarian situation is further complicated by displacement, with 3.4 million internally displaced Nigerians and approximately 100,000 refugees in the country by year's end.

Outlook for 2025

Without significant intervention, the outlook remains bleak. Projections indicate that 30.6 million Nigerians may continue to face crisis-level food insecurity during the upcoming lean season in 2025, suggesting the emergency will persist without urgent and comprehensive action.

July 01, 2025

Nigerian stock market soars with N13.2trn windfall for investors in Half 1, 2025

Nigeria’s equity markets delivered exceptional performance in the first six months of 2025, generating massive…
June 26, 2025

Peter Obi decries ‘coordinated lawlessness’ after brother’s property is demolished in Lagos without court order

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned what he described as a brazen act of…
July 01, 2025

The biggest communication mistake many people make

Maybe it's the Gen Z in me, but I’m not a fan of corporate jargon.…
June 21, 2025

Man convicted of posing as flight attendant to fly for free 120 times

A 35-year-old American man has been found guilty of impersonating a flight attendant at least…
June 30, 2025

Bandits strike again in Benue, kill four policemen in fresh attacks

Armed bandits on Sunday launched another deadly assault on Benue State, killing at least four…
July 01, 2025

Here’s the latest as Israel-Hamas war enters Day 634

Israel strikes pound Gaza, killing 60, ahead of US talks on ceasefire Israeli strikes killed…
June 30, 2025

The computer-science bubble is bursting

Rose Horowitch The job of the future might already be past its prime. For years,…
May 13, 2025

Nigeria's Flying Eagles qualify for World Cup after dramatic win over Senegal

Nigeria's U-20 national football team, the Flying Eagles, have secured their place at the 2025…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.