By Kazeem Akolawole
Despite being the agricultural engine room of Nigeria, the Northwestern states of Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa recorded highest in the most nutritionally deprived households with 49.4 percentage according to 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Africa Health Report, AHR, writes that agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the inhabitants of the zone and the important agricultural crops in the zone include millet, sorghum, maize, rice, cowpeas, groundnuts, cotton, soybean, potatoes, fruits and vegetables as well as animal husbandry such as cattle, sheep, and goats is also a common practice.
Similarly, the Northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba were reported to have 35.4 percent while North central states of Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Plateau Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory have 23.9 percent
Meanwhile, the South-South, Southwest and the South East recorded 16.9, 14.9 and 13.6 percent respectively as the deprived – any under 5 child that is moderately malnourished or adult household with BMI is less than 18.5 percent.
According to the UNICEF, nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 (lean season) if urgent action is not taken, in the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year.
This is a projected increase from the estimated 17 million people currently at risk of food insecurity. Continued conflict, climate change, inflation and rising food prices are key drivers of this alarming trend.
The Cadre Harmonise analysis also showed that Food access has been affected by persistent violence in the north-east states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) and armed banditry and kidnapping in states such as Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue and Niger.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency, widespread flooding in the 2022 rainy season damaged more than 676,000 hectares of farmlands, which diminished harvests and increased the risk of food insecurity for families across the country.
The flooding is one of the effects of climate change and variability impacting Nigeria. More extreme weather patterns affecting food security are anticipated in the future.
Of the 17 million people who are currently food insecure, 3 million are in the northeast BAY states. Without immediate action, this figure is expected to increase to 4.4 million in the lean season.
This includes highly vulnerable displaced populations and returnees who are already struggling to survive a large-scale humanitarian crisis in which 8.3 million people need assistance.
“The food security and nutrition situation across Nigeria is deeply concerning,” said Mr. Matthias Schmale, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria.
His words: “I have visited nutrition stabilization centres filled with children who are fighting to stay alive. We must act now to ensure they and others get the lifesaving support they need.”
Children are the most vulnerable to food insecurity. Approximately 6 of the 17 million food-insecure Nigerians today are children under 5 living in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states.
There is a serious risk of mortality among children attributed to acute malnutrition. In the BAY states alone, the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition is expected to increase from 1.74 million in 2022 to 2 million in 2023.
The Northwest region, around Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states, is an increasing food insecurity and malnutrition hotspot.
An estimated 2.9 million people are currently critically food insecure (Cadre Harmonisé Phase 3 or worse.) This figure is projected to increase to 4.3 million in the lean season if urgent action is not taken.
With partners, FAO has been supporting the government to restore livelihoods in the northeast and northwest regions. This includes livestock production, crop production, homestead micro gardening, value chain development and aquaculture.
The United Nations is calling on the Government of Nigeria, the donor community, and public and private stakeholders to urgently commit resources and implement mitigation measures to save lives and prevent a potentially catastrophic food security and nutrition situation. Support for vulnerable families across the country is needed today, not tomorrow.
