On the occasion of World Food Day, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has highlighted a concerning statistic: approximately three million children under the age of five in Nigeria are suffering from stunting, primarily due to undernutrition. This alarming figure reflects the broader issue of food insecurity affecting millions across the nation.
The FAO has attributed the current food crisis in Nigeria to several factors, including unsustainable agricultural practices, recent flooding, and ongoing insecurity, which have combined to exacerbate the food security situation. Currently, over 4.5 million people are identified as food insecure in Nigeria, prompting urgent calls for intervention to support local farmers and enhance agrifood practices.
This declaration was made by Daouda Doumbia, the Head of the FAO Office in Nigeria’s Northeast Sub Office, during a collaborative event with the Adamawa State government in Yola. Represented by Abdullahi Usman, the FAO Field Office Coordinator for Adamawa, Doumbia underscored the dire need for improved food access and agricultural sustainability in the region.
He stated, “The theme ‘Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future’ calls for increased access to food for everyone, emphasizing food as a basic human right.” Doumbia explained that the northeast region faces significant food insecurity challenges exacerbated by climate change, and he urged stakeholders to focus on building a more resilient agrifood ecosystem.
Recent flooding has had a devastating impact on agricultural production, affecting around 104,000 hectares of rainfed cropland and 6,570 hectares of irrigated land. This has resulted in an estimated food loss of 166,731 metric tonnes, potentially depriving approximately 1.6 million people of access to food for six months. The flooding has significantly impacted states like Borno and Adamawa, which are among the worst affected.
Doumbia expressed alarm over the stunting issue, saying, “It is alarming that approximately 3 million children under five in Nigeria are stunted, reflecting the severity of undernutrition.” He further highlighted the problem of malnutrition manifesting in various forms, including micronutrient deficiencies and rising obesity rates among adults, indicating a failure of food systems to provide essential nutrients.
The FAO representative stressed the importance of sustainable agricultural practices, noting that Nigeria is home to numerous local plant and animal species that could enhance nutrition and resilience within its agrifood systems. He warned, “Unsustainable agricultural practices threaten our biodiversity, which is vital for ensuring food security.”
The FAO is committed to supporting affected communities by distributing essential resources. Doumbia revealed plans to support 49,000 households, approximately 343,000 individuals, across the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) with improved seeds, NPK fertilizer, and water pumps during the upcoming 2024-2025 dry season. This initiative aims to restore livelihoods and boost food production in vulnerable communities.
Doumbia emphasized the need for a collaborative approach involving the government, private sector, civil society, and local communities to address food insecurity comprehensively. He noted the critical role of youth in agricultural innovation and sustainable practices, urging their engagement in advocating for healthy diets and resilient agrifood systems.
Moreover, Doumbia highlighted the importance of women in agriculture, stating that they should have a voice in decision-making processes. He remarked on the FAO’s livestock restocking programs targeting women-headed households, aimed at improving food availability in communities.
As the event progressed, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, represented by the state commissioner for Agriculture, David Jatau, called for strategies to enhance crop yields in the face of climate change challenges. Fintiri pointed out that globally, approximately 2.8 billion people struggle to afford a healthy diet, largely due to limited access to modern farming tools among smallholder farmers.
Commissioner Bello Diram, overseeing Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Human Services in Adamawa, spoke about the government’s initiatives to support local farmers. He highlighted the provision of access to farming equipment, quality seeds, and fertilizers as essential measures to bolster food production, particularly following the flooding that has affected over 50,000 residents.
The FAO and local officials reiterated the urgent need for effective interventions to tackle food insecurity, which has resulted in significant suffering for millions. As they commemorate World Food Day, the call to action is clear: there is a need for sustained efforts to ensure that every individual has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, thereby fostering a healthier future for Nigeria.
