Seven states in the Northwest and Northeast parts of the country, namely Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe, Sokoto, and Zamfara states have been projected to face severe hunger this year.
This was contained in the World Bank’s latest Food Security Report where it cited prevailing insecurity and armed conflicts in the regions, which are reducing the standards of living across the region, as reasons for the food crisis.
The report said other countries in the West African region such as Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger will also experience varying degrees of food insecurity.
“It is projected that most areas in West and Central Africa will remain Minimally food insecure (IPC Phase 1) until May 2024, with some being categorized as Stressed IPC 2. Nigeria (far north of Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states) will be at Crisis food security levels (IPC Phase 3), mostly because of persistent insecurity and armed conflict and deteriorating livelihoods.”
It further stated that areas in Northeastern states such Abadam, Bama, Guzamala, Marte etc will experience Emergency food security levels (IPC Phase 4) as a result of limited household food stock and access to market and humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, the report noted that over 63.2 per cent of low-income countries experienced inflation levels surpassing 5 per cent, marking a 1.3 per cent-point increase compared to the previous food update on January 17, 2023.
In lower-middle-income countries, 73.9 per cent saw inflation levels exceeding 5 per cent, while 48 per cent of upper-middle-income countries maintained similar percentages as the last update, with no changes recorded.
The World Bank report also highlighted that in high-income countries, over 44.4 per cent reported food inflation levels surpassing 5 per cent, marking a 1.9 per cent decrease compared to the previous food update.
Additionally, the report revealed that in real terms, food price inflation outpaced overall inflation in 71 per cent of the 165 countries where data was available.
It also highlighted the situation many states in Nigeria find themselves as food prices scale the roofs.