In a revelation, the World Bank has pointed out the looming threat of severe food crises in seven states spanning the North-west and North-east regions of Nigeria.
Highlighting factors such as heightened insecurity and armed conflicts, the bank’s latest Food Security report paints a grim picture of deteriorating living standards in these regions.
Speaking to the issue, a World Bank spokesperson emphasized, “Persistent insecurity and armed conflict, coupled with deteriorating livelihoods, place states like Borno, Adamawa, and others at crisis food security levels.”
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Amidst these warnings, the Nigerian government has laid out plans to cultivate vast hectares of farmland for the 2024 dry season farming, aiming to mitigate the impending crisis.
However, the challenges posed by escalating food inflation, exacerbated by global conflicts such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, continue to mount.
The report further underscores the precarious situation, citing the National Bureau of Statistics data showing food inflation surpassing 33 percent. With the Food and Agricultural Organisation cautioning that millions of Nigerians are at risk of hunger in 2024, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
Beyond Nigeria’s borders, neighboring countries like Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger are also grappling with varying degrees of food insecurity, amplifying concerns across the West African region.
Moreover, the report sheds light on the global landscape, revealing alarming trends where food price inflation outpaces overall inflation in a majority of countries.
This sobering reality underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to address the root causes of food insecurity.
Despite declarations of emergency by Nigerian authorities, including President Bola Tinubu’s move to elevate the issue to the National Security Council, tangible solutions remain elusive.
As evidenced by protests in Niger state over skyrocketing food prices and widespread hunger, the need for immediate intervention is more pressing than ever.