The World Bank’s latest ‘Food Security Update’ forewarns of ongoing insecurity and dwindling livelihoods in several Nigerian states, including Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara, and the far north of Adamawa till May 2024. The report underscores that adverse macroeconomic conditions impede access to agricultural inputs in these areas, consequently affecting cereal production across the country.
Projections indicate a 76.5 million-ton cereal production for the 2023/24 crop year in West and Central Africa, reflecting a two per cent decrease from the previous season. Notably, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria are anticipated to contribute significantly to this decline due to dry spells, insecurity, and constrained access to cropland and agricultural inputs.
Regarding food security, the report forecasts that between November 2023 and May 2024, most areas in the sub-region will remain minimally food insecure. However, Crisis (IPC Phase 3) conditions are projected to impact multiple local government areas in Nigeria, compounded by persistent insecurity, armed conflicts, and deteriorating livelihoods.
Moreover, the report highlights soaring food price inflation, particularly in low and middle-income countries. It reveals that Nigeria’s headline inflation surged to 28.20 per cent, with food inflation reaching a staggering 32.84 per cent in November.
The World Bank’s findings shed light on broader global implications, as high food price inflation is observed across continents, encompassing Africa, North America, Latin America, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. This signifies a widespread impact on diverse economies, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these challenges.
In essence, the World Bank’s report serves as a crucial signal, urging authorities to prioritize addressing insecurity, enhancing economic conditions, and bolstering food security measures to safeguard livelihoods in Nigeria and beyond.
