Flooding across Nigeria has destroyed an estimated 1.6 million hectares of crops, a new report from the Nigerian government and the United Nations revealed.
The affected crops are primarily located in the northern states known as the country’s “food basket.”
This extensive crop loss has led to a production deficit of around 1.1 million tonnes in staple foods like maize, sorghum, and rice, according to the joint report.
The report further indicates that the country has missed out on potential cereal crops valued at approximately N1.6 trillion.
The report also projects that over 30 million Nigerians could face food insecurity next year, a significant increase of one-third compared to this year due to ongoing economic challenges.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is already grappling with severe food inflation and general inflation, both of which have sparked public protests. Additionally, policies such as the naira devaluation and subsidy removal have contributed to the country’s economic strain.
The biannual analysis, conducted across 26 states and the federal capital, estimates that 33.1 million people will be food insecure by August next year, up from 24.8 million at the end of this year.
“Several factors are driving this trend, but most prominently are economic hardship coupled with record-high inflation, unprecedented food prices, and skyrocketing transportation costs,” the report stated.
World Food Programme spokesperson Chi Lael told Reuters, “Economic decisions to strengthen the country in the long term, in the short term, have felt like a direct attack on people’s wallets, hitting hardest every time they try to buy food.”
Finance Minister Wale Edun stated on Thursday that 5 million households have received cash transfers of 25,000 naira (around $15.45) as part of the government’s program to support vulnerable families.
