Nigeria Faces Dire Hunger Crisis: Over 30m Expected to Suffer food Shortages by 2025

Samuel Mobolaji

Nigeria is on the brink of a severe hunger crisis, with alarming projections indicating that over 30 million vulnerable individuals will face food shortages next year. This figure, reflecting a one-third increase from the current estimates, was detailed in a joint report released by the Nigerian government and the United Nations.

The impending crisis highlights the growing challenges faced by Africa’s most populous nation, which is currently grappling with a deepening economic malaise.

A recent cost of living crisis has already sparked deadly protests, and President Bola Tinubu’s austerity measures, including naira devaluation and the removal of a long-standing petrol subsidy, have exacerbated the difficulties for millions.

According to the report, which analyzes biannual data from 26 states and the federal capital, Abuja, the number of people experiencing food insecurity is projected to rise sharply to 33.1 million by August 2025, up from an estimated 24.8 million struggling with food access by the end of this year.

The report attributes this alarming trend to economic hardship, record-high inflation, rising food prices, and skyrocketing transportation costs.

In response to the mounting crisis, Finance Minister Wale Edun announced a cash payment program aimed at providing relief to struggling households, with approximately 5 million households receiving N25,000 each.

However, rising food prices continue to drive inflation, which surged to 32.70 per cent annually in September, up from 32.15% in August, placing additional strain on household budgets.

The agricultural sector is also under severe pressure, suffering from significant flooding and ongoing insecurity in northern states that are vital for food production. Recent floods have devastated an estimated 1.6 million hectares of crops, leading to projected production losses of about 1.1 million tonnes across key staples like maize, sorghum, and rice.

The joint statement from the government and the UN emphasizes the urgent need for effective interventions to mitigate agricultural losses and strengthen food security.

As Nigeria confronts these escalating challenges, collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector is essential to address the root causes of the crisis.

Ensuring access to food for millions will require concerted efforts to stabilize the economy, enhance agricultural productivity, and implement social safety nets for the most vulnerable populations.