Enterprise Issues
With Siaka Momoh
In spite of all that have been done, in spite of all that are being done, locally and globally, the pain is biting harder and harder every day. Nigerians like me are asking ‘When will this hunger in the land abate? When will this price surge stop?’ Let us take a journey back and have a feel of some interventions that have been made:
In the wake of the devastating floods that hit Borno State in September 2024, the African Development Bank has contributed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to provide emergency food assistance to flood-affected communities in northeastern Nigeria, according to AfDB source.
The support is critical, as humanitarian funding shortages coincide with rising food insecurity exacerbated by conflict, floods, and increasing poverty rates. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) will manage the distribution on behalf of the central government, reaching 120,000 people with essential food aid. Each household will receive 35kg of staple foods.
“The African Development Bank’s support is timely and comes as a lifeline for those struggling to feed themselves amidst rising food prices and economic turmoil,” said David Stevenson, WFP’s Country Director in Nigeria. Communities which, after years of conflict and violence, started rebuilding their lives were struck by the floods and once again displaced, meaning more and more people cannot support themselves and their families.”
The September 2024 floods have exacerbated existing challenges in the region, where years of displacement, food insecurity, and economic hardship have already taken a severe toll. The latest Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis, conducted in November 2024 across 26 states and the federal capital, projects that 33 million people in Nigeria will face food insecurity by August 2025. Na wao.
“I hope that this additional funding will mitigate the suffering of vulnerable people on the brink of acute hunger at a time when more Nigerians than ever need humanitarian assistance,” said Abdul Kamara, African Development Bank Director General in Nigeria…This new contribution complements AfDB’s ongoing effort to restructure activities of the Programme for Integrated Agricultural Development, Adaptation to Climate Change (PIDACC) and the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Programme to avail critically needed services in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Take a look at the following too:
Food Security In Africa
According World Bank Data, food security continues to be at alarming levels in most low-income countries, particularly in Africa with an estimated 61.6 million food-insecure people in East Africa and that nearly 50 million people projected to face food insecurity in Western and Central Africa. Conflicts and climate change continue to be the main driver of food insecurity.
Domestic food price inflation
Domestic food price inflation remains high in many low-income countries. Information from the latest month between October 2024 and January 2025 for which food price inflation data are available shows that inflation higher than 5% is experienced in 73.7% of low-income countries (1.5 percentage points higher since the last update on January 14, 2025), 52.2% of lower-middle-income countries (8.7 percentage points higher), 38% of upper-middle-income countries (no change), and 5.6% of high-income countries (1.8 percentage points lower). In real terms, food price inflation exceeded overall inflation in 56% of the 164 countries where data is available.
Global prices of AMIS crops
According to the February 2025 edition of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) Market Monitor, global prices of AMIS crops (wheat, maize, rice, and soybeans) are currently lower than they were a year ago, with the exception of maize, where international export prices reached a 15-month peak amid supply concerns.
Only 3% Allocated to Global funding
The 2024 Financing Flows and Food Crises report revealed that, on average, only 3% (USD 6.3 billion) of total development funding is allocated to the food sector—far less than the 33% (USD 10.3 billion) directed toward global humanitarian assistance.
A recent World Bank blog post presents five alarming statistics that highlight the urgency of the global food and nutrition security situation and the vital role of data innovations in combating global hunger.
Current Face of the Market –Amuwo/Ojo/Okoko Axis
50kg Bag of rice is N57, 000 – N60, 000. It is good news for Garri – paint container measure is N1500, was N4000 in 2024. It is good news also for Beans. Derica measure is currently N1200. It was N4000 in 2024. Paint measure for beans was N8, 000 in 2024 but it is now N4500.
Life chicken which sold N6000 now sells for N9500. Premium Old Layer which sold N6000/N10, 000 now sells for N25, 000! Turkey (1kg) which sold for N2500 now sells for N8000.Titus fish (1kg) which sold for N800 now sells for N8500.
For Beef, less than a handful in Ijegun-Egba Market Satellite Town is N2000! Food items, etc are ridiculously expensive in Ijegun when compared with Festac Town’s close by.
When will this hunger in the land stop?
