A National Emergency: The Food Crisis in Nigeria
In the first half of 2025, at least 652 Nigerian children have died from malnutrition in Katsina State alone, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). This is a staggering number for just one state in a country that once held the title of "Giant of Africa." In regions like Borno, where displacement is rampant, many mothers skip meals so their children can survive on a thin bowl of soup. Across Nigeria, over 31 million people are now facing acute food insecurity, as reported by the United Nations.
These figures may seem more typical of a war-torn nation, reminiscent of the dire situations seen in places like Gaza, where food queues have turned into scenes of violence. However, these numbers reflect the reality of Nigeria—a country where millions go to bed hungry not due to personal choices or laziness, but because the system has failed them.
This crisis is not simply about rising prices or poverty. It represents a national emergency that threatens the very foundation of society.
The Convergence of Challenges
The current food crisis in Nigeria is the result of three interwoven factors: inflation, insecurity, and indifference. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, food inflation in Nigeria is currently hovering near 35%. The cost of staples such as garri, rice, and yams has more than doubled in many markets. A bag of maize that once sold for N18,000 now costs N42,000. Tomatoes, onions, and eggs have become luxuries for many households, with some struggling to remember the last time they had eggs in their meals.
This inflation has been worsened by multiple social and economic crises. The removal of fuel subsidies and a weakened naira have increased transportation and input costs for farmers and traders. Meanwhile, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency have displaced thousands of farmers in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, Benue, and the Northeast. Crops have been destroyed, and those who remain face constant threats from armed groups.
Climate shocks, such as the devastating Mokwa floods, have also played a role. These annual disasters could be mitigated with better management, yet they continue to erode livelihoods and destroy crops.
Worsening Conditions and Declining Aid
At the same time, the World Food Programme (WFP) is being forced to reduce aid due to declining donor support. This has led to the closure of 150 nutrition clinics in Borno State, leaving 700,000 displaced persons at risk of losing critical food assistance.
This situation has created what many describe as a perfect storm, with the poorest Nigerians bearing the brunt of the crisis. A visit to any market in cities like Kano, Lafia, or Makurdi reveals how prices fluctuate unpredictably. Traders speak of instability, while farmers complain about soaring fertilizer costs and fishermen express concerns over insecurity in water bodies. The entire food value chain is under immense pressure.
A Moral and Political Dimension
Beyond the economic aspects, there is a moral dimension to this crisis. Merchants have contributed to food scarcity by hoarding crops and grains, creating artificial demand that drives up prices. While this practice is not new, it has taken on an even more desperate tone. Meanwhile, policy elites focus on GDP growth targets while hospitals close due to shortages of staff and supplies. Infant mortality and malnutrition remain significant challenges, yet the federal response has often been limited to press releases about "agricultural transformation."
The government’s budget prioritizes debt servicing over food security. Strategic grain reserves are underfunded and understocked. Agricultural extension workers are underpaid and outnumbered, and emergency responses are reactive rather than preventive.
Political Neglect and Missed Opportunities
Poverty and food insecurity in Nigeria are deeply political issues. Politicians announce farming initiatives during campaigns but abandon them after coming to power. This pattern repeats itself in every election cycle, making political manifestos increasingly meaningless. Subsidies are politicized, allocations are skewed, and debates over border policies continue while local farmers receive neither protection nor support.
The government's reliance on international aid to feed displaced citizens is a short-term solution that does not address the root causes of the problem. When the World Food Programme cannot meet the demand, who will? This responsibility falls squarely on the federal government. While recent announcements of a ?200 billion food intervention have been made, optimism remains low due to past promises that have not materialized.
Five Key Interventions
To curb the crisis, the federal government should consider the following interventions:
- Scale Up Emergency Feeding: Use verified local NGOs and religious institutions to distribute food directly to those in need, especially in IDP camps and flood-affected areas.
- Protect Farmers from Insecurity: Prioritize securing farming communities across the country. No food policy can succeed if people are too afraid to plant or harvest.
- Stabilize the Food Market: Consider short- or medium-term transport subsidies for food goods, remove bottlenecks at checkpoints, and release grains from strategic reserves when necessary.
- Support Smallholder Farmers: Invest in access to inputs like fertilizers, irrigation, and seedlings, and revive agricultural extension services.
- Develop a National Food Security Plan: Create a concrete, coordinated framework that brings together relevant ministries to address food security comprehensively.
A Call to Action
Chanting political slogans will not solve this crisis. A nation that cannot feed its people cannot fulfill its promise. We cannot speak of patriotism on empty stomachs or economic recovery when over 100 million Nigerians cannot afford a basic meal.
If we continue down this path, the consequences will extend beyond nutrition—they will affect society, politics, and the very existence of the nation. Hunger breeds despair, which in turn leads to unrest. The time to act is now—not with another announcement, but with food, dignity, and urgency.