As Nigeria grapples with worsening economic challenges, a staggering 65% of households across the country are unable to afford healthy food, a new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals.
The report, compiled in collaboration with the World Bank, highlights the severe impact of rising food prices and inflation, pushing millions further into poverty.
The NBS General Household Survey Panel (Wave 5), which covers data from the past year, underscores the dire situation facing Nigerian families.
“In the past 12 months, more than one-third of households experienced food shortages, with the most acute shortages occurring between June and August,” the report states.
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This food insecurity crisis is not limited to urban areas or specific regions, though southern Nigeria reports higher incidents.
The report shows that more than 62% of households worry about not having enough food to eat, while nearly 65% have been unable to consume a nutritious and balanced diet due to lack of financial resources.
Also, over 60% of households have reported eating less than they believe they should in order to cope with these rising costs.
“The rise in food prices has been the most significant shock experienced by Nigerian households, with 71% of respondents highlighting it as a major concern,” the NBS notes.
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While households in southern Nigeria, particularly in the South East and South West, are facing the brunt of the crisis, the northern zones appear to fare somewhat better, though still deeply affected. For example, in the South East, 62.4% of households reported skipping meals, compared to 34% in the North Central region.
“The worsening food insecurity reflects a larger pattern of multidimensional poverty that has gripped many Nigerians due to reduced purchasing power,” said the NBS report, emphasizing the ripple effect of inflation on families’ ability to meet basic dietary needs.
In a reflection of the extent of hardship, 20.8% of households have been forced to borrow food or rely on assistance from friends and relatives, while many have turned to coping mechanisms such as reducing food portions.
