The Federal Government has raised concerns over the worsening state of food security in Nigeria, revealing that nearly 161 million citizens are currently unable to consistently access adequate food.
This was disclosed by Alhaji Nuhu Kilishi, who heads the Nutrition and Food Safety Department at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, during a stakeholder engagement held in Abuja to develop a Food and Nutrition Security Crisis Preparedness Plan (FNSCPP).
The initiative stems from the Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) programme, a World Bank-supported and state-driven intervention aimed at scaling up nutrition access, especially for the country’s most vulnerable populations.
Kilishi revealed a troubling increase in the prevalence of food insecurity. According to him, the combined rate of moderate and severe food insecurity has surged from 35% in 2014 to nearly 74% in recent times.
“Only 20 per cent of Nigerians are currently food secure, meaning they are certain of their next meal,” he said, blaming the deteriorating situation on worsening insecurity and economic challenges.
He attributed the decline in food production to activities such as kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of insecurity, which have forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands.
He added that inflation, along with rising input and commodity prices, has made nutritious food out of reach for many households.
Describing the overall food and nutrition outlook as alarming—especially in regions affected by conflict—Kilishi noted that the government had rolled out several initiatives to mitigate the crisis.
”Among them is the distribution of seeds and inputs to support homestead gardening across all 774 local government areas.
“We have secured World Bank funding to implement this plan in 21 states, while the remaining 15 states will be supported through federal resources,” he explained.
Dr. Ritgak Tilley-Gyado, Senior Health Specialist with the World Bank, said the ANRiN project, which began in 2018, is now in its second phase.
“With additional Crisis Response Window financing made available, the aim now is to strengthen Nigeria’s systems to prevent future food and nutrition crises,” she said.
According to her, the current strategy focuses on prevention and building resilience over time, rather than reacting to emergencies after they occur.
Also speaking, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, who serves as the Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, referenced the 2021 National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey.
She highlighted that over 40% of Nigerian households lack the means to afford a nutritious diet. She linked this to the country’s high rates of maternal and child mortality and the growing burden of malnutrition.
Bako-Aiyegbusi also stated that the plan under development is in line with a recent directive from Vice President Kashim Shettima, which calls for a coordinated national response to food and nutrition challenges.
“We do not want to wait for a crisis before responding. Food and nutrition security is not the responsibility of the health sector alone—it is multisectoral. Agriculture, education, water resources, information, security, and development partners all have critical roles to play,” she stressed.
On her part, Mrs. Ojuolape Solanke, the National Project Manager for ANRiN 2.0, emphasised that the goal is to ensure women and children continue receiving critical nutrition services through primary healthcare centres.
She explained that the new plan will be implemented in collaboration with ministries such as Agriculture, Health, and Budget and Economic Planning, using a results-based approach.
“We are working to ensure that within the next six months, a comprehensive plan is in place to guide Nigeria’s response to any future food and nutrition emergencies,” she said.
