26.5 million Nigerians at risk of hunger in 2024 – FAO

Report from Food and Agricultural Organization, says 26.5 million Nigerians face the threat of hunger in the year 2024.

The international organization revealed that states such as Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are at a higher risk of food insecurity.

FAO country representative, Dominique Kouacou, disclosed this during the presentation of the Cadre Harmonisé food security and early warning analysis for the October to November period in Abuja on Friday.

The Cadre Harmonisé analysis was conducted in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to assess the food security situation and provide future projections.
Kouacou observed that the current cycle is characterized by an unusual lean season, influenced by several challenges, including ongoing security concerns such as insurgency and banditry.

He also identified additional challenges, including conflicts related to natural resources, the elevated cost of food and agricultural inputs driven by high inflation, and significant dry spells in some states shortly after the onset of rains.

For Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the analysis had been conducted and approved by a team of highly skilled professionals from the CH analysis task force over the past two weeks.

He mentioned that the challenges were significant but could be overcome, and it seemed that several factors were undermining the ministry’s efforts.

“Notable among them are the lingering negative impact of COVID-19 on the global economy and the Russia-Ukraine war which is currently disrupting the food systems and spiking up input prices and food prices,” he said.

He added, “The removal of petroleum subsidy has further heightened this pressure, resulting in food inflation and increases in consumer price index.”

Umakhihe mentioned that these disruptions had repercussions on food consumption patterns, leading to a reliance on irreversible coping strategies among the country’s vast population.

He also emphasized that the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis would be integrated into all 36 states by the conclusion of 2024.