The Cadre Harmonisé report on the Acute Food and Nutrition Insecurity situation in the country has projected that 30.6 million people across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory will be in a food crisis phase between June and August.
The report, conducted by the federal and state governments with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other development partners, revealed that the figure includes 150,978 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
It observed that despite the declining food and general commodity prices across the country, an estimated 24.9 million people, including 116,765 IDPs in 26 states and the FCT, are currently in a food crisis situation, which may worsen by May 2025.
The CH analysis projected that during the lean season from June to August, households would likely face increased food consumption deficits, adding that the seasonal challenge may push more populations in risk areas into a critical food crisis threshold.
The report attributed the development to conflicts and climatic shocks, including macroeconomic reforms, adding that households may be faced with limited purchasing power and capacity to secure sufficient dietary intake.
The report further observed critical levels of acute malnutrition in the Northeast, especially in Central Borno, Northern Yobe, and parts of Eastern Sokoto. The affected Local Government Areas in Northern Borno include Mobbae and Ngarcail, as well as Mashi in Northern Katsina.
The key drivers of the food crisis situation, according to the CH analysis, include conflict and insecurity, such as insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping, as well as a high level of vulnerability limiting households’ ability to cope with shocks.
Other factors include high food prices, reduced food stocks at the household level, limited income-generating activities, inadequate food consumption, and limited access to clean water and sanitation.
The Country Representative of FAO, Koffy Dominique, commended the Federal Government, global, regional, and national CH stakeholders for the successful completion of the two-week-long February- March 2025 CH analysis cycle, which officially began on February 20 in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He pointed out that in the last two years, the country has recorded the worst inflation in over 20 years, which drove many households into economic hardship, making it difficult for them to secure food and other essential commodities. He added that the country also witnessed the negative impacts of extreme climatic hazards, particularly flooding, as well as armed conflict and organised crime, which have perpetuated insecurity for so long, compounding other drivers of food insecurity.
Dominique stated that the main goal of the CH analysis workshops, conducted twice a year, is to document populations and areas at risk of food and nutrition insecurity in the country. He noted that the CH also proposes appropriate measures to prevent emergencies or the escalation of ongoing food crises.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, pointed out that the removal of fuel subsidies and insecurity have led to a spike in food prices, saying the ministry is resolute in achieving its mandate as the nation’s major stakeholder in the food security sector.
The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Food and Strategic Reserve, Okwudule Onyema, assured development partners of the government’s commitment to utilizing the outcomes and recommendations generated from the results and workshops in addressing the country’s food and nutrition security crisis.
He also urged humanitarian communities to adopt the report for the planning and implementation of nationwide food and nutrition security interventions.
(The Guardian)
