A recent World Bank report has highlighted the impact of insecurity on the livelihoods of residents in six northern Nigerian states.
Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Gombe, and Adamawa States are expected to face challenges until May 2024.
The report also emphasises that poor macroeconomic conditions are limiting access to agricultural inputs, potentially affecting cereal production in the country.
The World Bank estimates a 2% decrease in cereal production for the 2023/24 crop year in West and Central Africa, with Chad, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria contributing significantly to this decline.
The projection indicates a rise in food insecurity, especially in areas affected by persistent insecurity, armed conflict, and deteriorating livelihoods.
The report also notes high inflation rates in many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria, where headline inflation reached 28.20% and food inflation soared to 32.84% in November.
Food scarcity extends beyond Nigeria; countries such as Chad, Mali, Cameroon, and Niger are also grappling with poverty, further exacerbating the issue of food insecurity in these regions.