The World Bank’s latest Food Security report forecasts a food security crisis in 2024 for seven states in Nigeria’s North-west and North-east regions.
According to the report, insecurity and armed conflicts are diminishing living standards throughout the region, with Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe, Sokoto, and Zamfara states identified as the most vulnerable.
Apart from Nigeria, the report observed that other countries in the West African region, including Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger, will face different levels of food insecurity.
“It is projected that most areas in West and Central Africa will remain Minimally food insecure (IPC Phase 1) until May 2024, with some being categorized as Stressed IPC 2. Nigeria (far north of Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states) will be at Crisis food security levels (IPC Phase 3), mostly because of persistent insecurity and armed conflict and deteriorating livelihoods,” it said.
It said that areas in the Northeastern states such as Abadam, Bama, Guzamala, Marte, among others, will face emergency food security levels (IPC Phase 4) due to limited household food stocks and restricted access to markets and humanitarian aid.
The report also highlighted that more than 63.2% of low-income countries experienced inflation levels surpassing 5%, marking a 1.3%-point increase compared to the previous food update on January 17, 2023.
Additionally, 73.9% of lower-middle-income countries saw inflation levels exceeding 5%, while 48% of upper-middle-income countries maintained similar percentages as the last update, with no changes recorded
The World Bank observed that in high-income countries, more than 44.4% reported food inflation levels exceeding 5%, indicating a 1.9% decrease compared to the previous food update
Also, the report disclosed that in real terms, food price inflation exceeded overall inflation in 71% of the 165 countries where data was available
The report further highlights the precarious situation in many Nigerian states as food prices skyrocket, citing the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which shows food inflation exceeding 33%.
In October, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) issued a warning that about 5 million Nigerians could face hunger in 2024.
Moreover, the United Nations (UN) reported in its Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition that since the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 78% of Africans have struggled to afford a nutritious diet.
In July, President Bola Tinubu declared food insecurity emergency in the country, escalating the issue to the National Security Council. However, this action has had minimal impact as food prices continue to soar.
Protests recently erupted in Niger State due to the escalating cost of food and the widespread hunger affecting the area.
Kanyi Daily recalls that Vice President Kashim Shettima had delivered a dire warning on Thursday, stating that the persistent attacks and insecurity afflicting northern Nigeria might escalate into anarchy
