The United Nations has issued a dire warning that a staggering 82 million Nigerians, representing approximately 64 percent of the nation’s populace, could face starvation by 2030. This urgent call to action implores the government to combat the menacing threats of climate change, relentless pest infestations, and other critical challenges undermining agricultural productivity and food security.
Speaking at the recent launch of CropWatch in Abuja, Taofiq Braimoh, the Humanitarian Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, a UN agency, highlighted the severity of the situation and the immediate need for decisive and effective interventions.
This forewarning emerges amid the relentless surge in food prices nationwide, casting a shadow over countless households and stirring deep-seated anxieties about the future.
According to Braimoh, ‘The government of Nigeria, in collaboration with others, conducts an annual food security survey”.
“Nigeria, like many countries, grapples with food insecurity, climate change, unreliable water patterns, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity”.
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“This year’s results are alarming: approximately 22 million Nigerians will face food insecurity in 2023, and around 80-82 million are at risk of severe food insecurity by 2030”, he stated.
The shocking revelation comes amid Nigeria’s staggering food inflation, which soared to a crushing 40.66% in May 2024, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report revealed an alarming surge in the cost of staple foods, with prices for essentials like rice, beans, garlic, and yams skyrocketing by a staggering 130% or more.
This relentless increase is causing widespread hardship and anxiety among families struggling to afford basic nourishment.
