Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is facing a deepening hunger crisis that has reached alarming proportions. While hunger is a global issue, the Nigerian experience is uniquely shaped by a combination of economic mismanagement, conflict, and policy failures that have left millions vulnerable to food insecurity.
1. Fuel subsidy removal and inflation: The 2023 removal of fuel subsidies sharply increased transportation costs for agricultural goods. This caused food prices to skyrocket—food inflation hit nearly 40% by late 2024—which made basic staples unaffordable for many Nigerians, pushing millions toward food insecurity.
2. Economic mismanagement and poverty: Nigeria’s economy suffered one of its worst crises recently, with inflation and stagnant wages pushing the already poor majority deeper into poverty. Around 59% of Nigerians live in poverty, directly limiting their access to sufficient, nutritious food.
3. Policy inconsistency and implementation failure: Frequent shifts in agricultural and food policies, along with poor execution, undermine long-term food security initiatives. Attempts like duty-free food import windows have disrupted domestic farmers, creating price distortions and disincentivizing local food production.
4. Corruption and weak institutions: Corruption reduces funds and resources for agricultural development and social safety nets, and breeds insecurity that disrupts food production and distribution. Insecurity due to governance failures forces displacement and limits farmers’ access to their lands, reducing food availability and driving up prices.
5. Inadequate infrastructure and supply chain inefficiencies: Deficient transport networks, storage facilities, and high costs (permits, tolls) cause up to 50% post-harvest losses in some areas, limiting food supply and increasing costs.
6. Security challenges: Armed conflicts, banditry, Boko-Haram, kidnapping in northern some parts of middle-belt regions displace millions and damage agricultural activity. This reduces food production and availability in critical food-producing zones.
Together, these policy failures create a vicious cycle: soaring food prices, reduced availability, increased poverty, and deepening hunger affecting over 25 million Nigerians. The crisis not only causes widespread malnutrition but also fuels social unrest and threatens national stability. Sustainable, transparent, and consistent governance reforms are urgently needed to mitigate this humanitarian crisis.
My question to you - readers is: What are the possible remedies?
✍️ Uncle Yunus
Sartuday, July 19, 2025.
This is a very important and helpful advice that will really help them think twice and change positively indeed.
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