Persistent Floods Worsening Nigeria’s Food Insecurity, FAO Warns

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has issued a grave warning regarding the escalating food insecurity crisis in Nigeria, exacerbated by devastating floods that have affected 29 states.

As of early September 2024, over 2.5 million people have been impacted, with approximately 200,000 displaced from their homes.

Nearly 31.8 million Nigerians are already at risk of acute food insecurity, and the floods threaten to worsen this dire situation.

FAO representative Koffy Dominique Kouacou highlighted that the floods have submerged 1.3 million hectares of land, including 558,000 hectares of cropland.

“As of early September, more than 2.5 million people have been impacted, with around 200 000 displaced,” Kouacou, said in a statement.

According to Kouacou, the FAO is deeply concerned about the potential for increased hunger, as nearly 31.8 million Nigerians are already at risk of acute food insecurity. He stated further that urgent coordinated action is needed to avert a worsening humanitarian disaster across Nigeria.

“The floods continue to push vulnerable communities deeper into poverty, and the widespread loss of farmland will severely affect food security,” Kouacou stated.

He disclosed that as of September 10, 2024, FAO had recorded 1.3 million hectares (ha) of land submerged, including 558 000 ha of cropland across the country. He stated further that floodwaters are expected to continue rising further as rivers swell and dams approach their maximum capacity, which will further threaten communities across Northern Nigeria.

Kouacou stated further that the upcoming October, November 2024 analysis of the Cadre Harmonisé will further quantify the floods’ impact on food security and nutrition in Nigeria and the region. “Enhanced infrastructure, improved early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms are crucial to addressing the crisis and building long-term resilience.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned of imminent further flooding, particularly in the northeast and western regions, with states like Borno, Bauchi, and Yobe being most at risk.

In Borno, the collapse of the Alau dam has significantly affected Maiduguri, displacing over 239,000 people and disrupting essential services.

FAO calls for urgent coordinated action and flexible funding to support humanitarian responses and recovery efforts, emphasising the need for enhanced infrastructure and early warning systems to mitigate future disasters.

NEMA had identified Borno, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara, as states most at risk.