Breaking News: Bill Gates Says Nigeria Has Second-Highest Rate of Food Insecurity in the World
ABUJA, NIGERIA – In an exclusive interview with selected journalists on the sidelines of the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja, Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has revealed that Nigeria has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the world. According to Gates, climate change has been accelerating the problem.
Gates explained that Nigeria receives the largest share of intervention funds allocated by his foundation in Africa due to the country’s food insecurity. He stated, "Nigeria today has the second-highest rate of food insecurity on Earth, and climate change is only accelerating the problem. Arable land has disappeared, pests have wiped out harvests, and prices for staple foods have soared. Climate-related losses on many African farms are more than double those seen globally."
The 2024 Global Report on Food Crises, published by the Food Security Information Network, confirms that Nigeria ranks second among 59 countries facing acute food insecurity, behind only the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report indicates that 24.9 million people in Nigeria face high food insecurity, making it one of the most affected countries in the world.
The report also identified the three major drivers of food insecurity worldwide as conflict/insecurity, extreme weather, and economic shocks. In Nigeria, the rise in food prices has pushed millions of people into a state of food insecurity. The National Bureau of Statistics reported a record high food inflation rate of 40.66 per cent in May 2024.
Experts attribute the country’s rising food insecurity to widespread climate change, pest infestations, and lack of access to irrigation for farmers. Tobi Awolope, an agricultural economist, said, "Nigeria’s food security situation has worsened due to climate change issues, which have caused a hike in food prices. Even the four pillars of food security are currently defaulting in the country."
In response to the crisis, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is working to support development initiatives across Africa, including efforts to address climate change, improve agricultural productivity, and enhance access to nutrition.
As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, the situation in Nigeria serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address food insecurity and its devastating impact on communities.
Source: Media Talk Africa