31.5m Nigerians Projected to Face Acute Hunger By June 2024

Nigerians numbering 31.5 million are projected to face acute hunger by the June-August 2024 lean season in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Of this figures, 83, 846 are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The situation according to the latest Cadre Harmonise analysis would be particularly dire in the northeastern states of Borno with 2.1 million people, Yobe State with 1.5 million and Adamawa State with 1.1 million people who would be in the phase 3 of the food and nutrition insecurity during this period.

This concerning report (Cadre Harmonise) was released in Abuja yesterday by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United (FAO) and other partners.

The latest data represent a significant increase of about 4.6 million people from the 26.5 million earlier projected in November, 2023 for the period.

According to the report, several factors contribute to the alarming food insecurity, including conflicts and insecurity in the North-east, north central and north-west, fuel scarcity, naira devaluation currency crisis, rising inflation and consumer price index.

The report also shows that the development pose serious nutrition implications for children under the age of 5, especially in Borno, Yobe Adamawa and northwest states of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara.

FAO country representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dominique Koffy Kouacou during the presentation of the data said with the rising figures, Nigeria is in a critical moment that require stakeholders’ double commitment to address the current challenges.

Kouacou who was represented by the assistant representative, programmes, Abubakar Sulaiman however pledged the agency’s continued support to the government of Nigeria to sustain the programme.

He said that the data is credible, up to date and reliable information needed to support planning and decision-making processes.

Earlier, the permanent secretary, ministry of agriculture and food security, Temitope Fashedemi, expressed his enthusiasm for the significant findings that could shape the nation’s approach to food security.

Fashedemi highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing these issues, which have led to food inflation and increased the consumer price index.

Represented by director, special duties, Adedaya Modupe, the permanent secretary also noted the environmental and human factors contributing to these challenges, such as climate change and displacement due to insecurity.

He said that the ministry aims to incorporate all 36 states into the CH analysis process and welcomes further collaboration to achieve this goal as he assured that the workshop’s outcomes and recommendations would be integral to implementing food and nutrition security interventions.