The United Nations has issued a dire warning that 82 million Nigerians, constituting approximately 64% of the country’ s population, may face severe hunger by 2030. This alarming prediction underscores the urgent need for the Nigerian government to address critical challenges such as climate change, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity....Click Here To Continue Reading>>

This warning comes amidst a backdrop of skyrocketing food prices in Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the nation’ s food inflation rate reached an unprecedented high of 40. 66% in May 2024, surpassing the previous month’ s 40. 53% increase. This marks the largest year- on- year spike in food prices since records began in 1996. Historically, food inflation in Nigeria has averaged 13. 42%, with the lowest point being- 17. 50% in January 2000.

In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) predicted that at least 2. 6 million Nigerians in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would face a food crisis between June and August 2024. A government- led Cadre Harmonisé analysis in March 2024 further highlighted that approximately 4. 8 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states are experiencing severe food insecurity, the highest level recorded in seven years.

That May Soon Befall 82 Million Nigerians; See Details| image 19
The persistent rise in food prices and the looming threat of a food crisis have raised significant concerns among various stakeholders. During the 2024 May Day commemoration, Organised Labour expressed alarm over the increasing food prices and fuel scarcity, warning that these issues threaten the survival of Nigerian workers. Similarly, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, cautioned that a hunger riot might erupt soon if the Federal Government does not act swiftly.
At the launch of CropWatch in Abuja, Taofiq Braimoh, a UN official representing the FAO’ s Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, emphasized the critical nature of the food security survey conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian government. The survey revealed that approximately 22 million Nigerians would face food insecurity in 2023, with around 80- 82 million at risk by 2030.
” Nigeria, like many countries, grapples with food insecurity, climate change, unreliable water patterns, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity, ” Braimoh stated. ” As an agrarian society, our farms’ success directly impacts food availability for our population. Leveraging technology is crucial to strengthening our agriculture sector and ensuring food security. ”
Braimoh highlighted the importance of satellite- based crop monitoring, which provides real- time data on crop conditions, enabling farmers and policymakers to make informed decisions and optimize agricultural practices. This technology is vital for achieving sustainable development goals in food and agriculture.
Tobi Awolope, an agricultural economist from the Centre for Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, attributed Nigeria’ s high hunger rate to climate change. She pointed out that smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of food production, have low adaptive capacity to cope with the adverse effects of climate change, such as irregular rainfall patterns and lack of irrigation.
” Climate change has reversed the progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2, which aim to eradicate poverty and hunger, ” Awolope said. ” Smallholder farmers are struggling to adapt to the changing climate, leading to declining food availability and rising prices. ”
Awolope stressed the need for government support, including subsidies for production inputs and assistance with technology and irrigation. ” Farmers cannot mitigate the effects of climate change alone. The government needs to step in and support them to ensure food security, ” she stated. She also emphasized the importance of utilizing research recommendations to inform policy decisions, advocating for practical application of research outputs to support farmers and ensure food availability.
Dr. Adepoju Mathew, Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, underscored the critical role of science, technology, and innovation in advancing agricultural development and food security. ” The world population is projected to reach 9. 5 billion by 2050, and food production must increase by 70% to meet this demand, ” he said. ” Space science, technology, and innovation play a crucial role in transforming agriculture and enhancing food security. “