One year after the federal government declared a state of emergency on food security, the effectiveness of this initiative continues to be a topic of debate among stakeholders. On July 13, 2023, President Bola Tinubu announced the state of emergency to tackle the worsening food crisis. However, despite various interventions, food insecurity in Nigeria remains critical,leadership reports.
According to a report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), an estimated 31.5 million Nigerians are currently at high risk of acute food insecurity, an increase from approximately 25 million last year. Many Nigerians have expressed disappointment, stating that the emergency declaration has not improved their situation.
LEADERSHIP reports that persistent food inflation has been a major issue, worsening to around 40.66% in recent months. This inflation has been driven by factors such as currency devaluation, difficulties in food transportation and distribution, which have led to price increases, while ongoing insecurity has hampered agricultural production.
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Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals a significant rise in staple food prices in Nigeria between 2023 and 2024, adversely affecting the cost of living, particularly for those in lower-income brackets. Prices for rice have skyrocketed by over 150%, while garri has seen a price increase of about 135%. Other staples, including beans, bread, beef, and vegetables, have also experienced substantial price hikes.
Nigerians who spoke with LEADERSHIP expressed frustration that, despite the state of emergency on food security, the sharp rise in food prices has increased their hardship, diminished their purchasing power, and worsened poverty levels.
Kabir Ibrahim, the national president of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), described the government’s efforts as a work in progress, calling for greater transparency in implementing programs aimed at ensuring food affordability, which he views as essential for achieving food security. He emphasized that while some measures have been taken, more action is needed, especially to address the root causes of the food security crisis.
Ibrahim advocated for a more aggressive approach to combating banditry in key agricultural production areas. “We need stronger action on insecurity by tackling it directly in affected regions. For instance, we should confront the bandits in identified production areas to defeat them, and then expand efforts to other areas until they are completely overpowered,” he stated.
He also pointed out the pressing challenges facing farmers, such as limited access to affordable inputs like fertilizers and agrochemicals, along with ongoing insecurity that restricts agricultural productivity. Ibrahim urged the government to take “more serious action” in these areas to alleviate the impact on food security.
Mr. Joseph Yakubu, a resident of Orozo community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), shared his disappointment with LEADERSHIP, saying he expected the emergency declaration to bring about change but has seen food prices triple since then. As a trader and smallholder farmer, he noted the ongoing food affordability crisis and diminishing purchasing power among households.
“I was hopeful when the state of emergency on food security was declared last year. I heard about it on the radio, but it seems to have had no impact. Prices of commodities have risen beyond our reach. I believe the government should consider reinstating fuel subsidies, as I think that would help reduce the high cost of living,” he said.
A teacher, Mr. Danladi Yusuf, called for long-term solutions, stating that the emergency declaration alone is insufficient. He emphasized the need for sustainable policies to enhance agricultural productivity, storage, and distribution networks, which he considers crucial.
“I’ve heard that the government has been distributing rice, but nothing has reached us here in Orozo. I don’t think the state of emergency on food security has helped at all, as we have not seen any benefits,” he remarked.
Another Abuja resident, Mrs. Gloria Audu, lamented the government’s lack of seriousness in addressing the current high food costs. She told LEADERSHIP that she has yet to see tangible improvements in people’s daily lives since the emergency declaration last year.
“Yes, I’m aware of the state of emergency on food security, but I have my doubts about its effectiveness. Until we see visible improvements in food affordability, we cannot confidently say that the government is serious about addressing the issue,” she stated.
