Why Is There Hunger in Nigeria?
Food prices and the cost of agricultural produce in Nigeria have soared to unbearable levels. Many Nigerians blame the federal government, accusing it of implementing policies that have impoverished people to the point where they can no longer afford to feed themselves and their families.
This raises a pressing question that often arises in discussions about hardship in the country: Why are we suffering from hunger despite having a government?
The purpose of this write-up is to shed light on some factors contributing to food insecurity and high prices in Nigeria, which are frequently overlooked in conversations about the issue.
Let’s explore some of the reasons behind food insecurity and the rising costs of staple foods such as rice, millet, guinea corn, beef, fish, chicken, goat meat, bread, maize, yam, cassava, and cassava products like garri, fufu, akpu, and tapioca.
1. Climate Change and Desertification: Global climate change has significantly impacted agriculture worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. According to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Federal Government of Nigeria, desert encroachment is advancing southward at a rate of 0.6 km per year. This encroachment affects a total land area of 323,319 km², which is 35% of the country’s land area of 910,770 km². Valuable cropland and rangeland are threatened or already consumed by desertification.
Additionally, climate change has caused major water bodies such as Lake Chad, the Niger River, and the Benue River to shrink. Lake Chad has decreased to one-tenth of its size in 1973, covering between 2,000 km² and 5,000 km² depending on the season. This shrinkage has led to a significant loss of livelihood for people in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger who rely on these water bodies for farming, fishing, and cattle rearing. The reduction in these water sources has caused displacement, increased internally displaced persons (IDPs), and contributed to food shortages.
2. Insecurity: Climate change and desertification have exacerbated the loss of livelihoods in northern Nigeria, which borders several West African countries experiencing security destabilization. Rebel fighters, religious militants, and other armed groups from Nigeria, Mali, Chad, and Northern Cameroon have found their way into Nigeria, taking advantage of the situation. These groups have targeted local farmers and cattle herders, forcing them to abandon their farms and migrate southwards to the Benue River basin.
The difficult conditions for digging boreholes in Northern Nigeria, with depths ranging from 450m to 800m, further complicate access to water. This situation has led to conflicts between herders and crop farmers, with sophisticated weapons exacerbating the violence. Consequently, food production in Nigeria has decreased, contributing to higher food prices.
3. COVID-19 and Its Effects: The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread hardship by disrupting food handling and transportation due to safety protocols. Farmers faced isolation and social distancing, which hindered their ability to cultivate, harvest, transport, and process their produce. This global food shortage affected every country, including Nigeria. Additionally, major food-exporting countries like Ukraine and Russia, which supply about 28% of the world’s grain demand, reduced their exports. Nigeria, which imports about 30% of its wheat from these countries, faced shortages. Other grain-exporting nations like Brazil and India also restricted their exports, leading to severe food shortages and skyrocketing prices.
4. Ukraine and Russia War: The conflict between Ukraine and Russia further exacerbated the global food crisis. Nigeria imports a significant portion of its wheat and corn from these two countries. The war has blocked transportation through the Black Sea, disrupting the export of these essential commodities. Russia, in particular, has been a major supplier of fertilizers to Nigeria. The halt in fertilizer imports has negatively impacted agricultural production in Nigeria, leading to reduced crop yields and higher food prices.
5. Floating of the Naira: The Nigerian government’s decision to eliminate dual exchange rates and stop supporting the currency led to a massive devaluation of the naira by 300%. This devaluation caused agricultural equipment and inputs to triple in price, which was passed on to consumers, further increasing food costs.
Understanding these factors helps in comprehending why hunger and high food prices persist despite the presence of a government. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts to mitigate climate change impacts, improve security, and stabilize economic conditions.
By Egnr. Tope Ogunsuwa
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