According to Daily Trust, the United Nations' Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Africa Union Global Office, Dr. Hameed Nuru, delivered a message on Wednesday, highlighting Nigeria's acute food insecurity crisis.
According to Daily Trust, Dr. Nuru revealed that Nigerians currently allocate over 65% of their earnings towards food, a figure drastically higher than the globally accepted rate of 5-6%. This revelation underscores a troubling reality: food has become a luxury rather than a basic necessity for many in Africa's most populous nation.
Addressing a diverse audience at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine's inaugural annual lecture, themed "Navigating nexus of food security, safety and diseases: a holistic sustainable future and economic prosperity," Dr. Nuru emphasized the critical importance of immediate governmental intervention. He stressed that without substantial improvements in food security, Nigeria's future remains precarious, far beyond the realm of economic stability.
"It's not the oil, gold, diamond and other natural resources that can guarantee Nigeria's future, but food security," Dr. Nuru asserted, drawing attention to the fundamental role of agriculture in national security and stability. He criticized the current budgetary allocations, noting that while sectors like health, education, and infrastructure receive dedicated funding, food security languishes with inadequate attention.
Dr. Nuru pointed to ongoing conflicts, climate change impacts, and economic instability, particularly in the North East region. He predicted a grim reality where Nigeria could see one million malnourished children by the end of the year, a harrowing statistic mirroring crises in conflict-ridden regions like Somalia.
Dr. Nuru urged a paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture practices and greater investment in indigenous food production, suggesting that Nigeria's heavy reliance on imported food, which costs billions annually, is unsustainable and detrimental to long-term food security goals. He underscored the need for policies that empower citizens economically, ensuring dignified access to food rather than perpetual dependency on aid.
In response to these challenges, Dr. Nuru called for comprehensive policy reforms that prioritize agricultural development, attract youth to the sector, and support initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. He commended the efforts of organizations like the WFP, which currently assists over 1.1 million vulnerable people monthly in northern Nigeria, underscoring the vital role of humanitarian aid in mitigating immediate hunger crises.