Nigeria’s Deepening Hunger Crisis and Sustainable Development Goals

Despite numerous government-led poverty alleviation programmes, Nigeria continues to face a worsening hunger crisis. The core issue is not the absence of social interventions but their disconnection from the realities of food production and distribution systems.

Current Food Insecurity Situation

In 2024, approximately 6.9 million additional Nigerians have slipped into acute food insecurity, bringing the total to around 31.8 million. This alarming figure highlights a systemic collapse of Nigeria’s food supply chain, influenced by insecurity, inadequate infrastructure, and neglect of rural development.

Linking Hunger and Poverty: A Sustainable Development Perspective

Addressing poverty in Nigeria requires fundamental reforms in the food system. Hunger and poverty are inseparable, and strategies that overlook food production, storage, and distribution will fail. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty) emphasize the need for integrated approaches that ensure food security alongside poverty reduction.

The Plight of Smallholder Farmers and Rural Security

Smallholder Farmers: Backbone of Nigeria’s Food Production

• Smallholder farmers produce about 90% of Nigeria’s food.
• Approximately 75% of rural Nigerians live below the poverty line.
• Farmers face challenges including low yields, climate shocks, poor market access, and violent conflict.

Impact of Insecurity on Food Production (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

1. Violent attacks have killed at least 1,356 farmers between 2020 and 2024.
2. Regions like Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger states have become conflict zones, disrupting agricultural activities.
3. Farmers are extorted by armed groups, paying over ₦139 million in levies, increasing the risks associated with farming.

Environmental Challenges and Climate Change (SDG 13: Climate Action)

• Flooding and droughts are increasingly frequent, especially in northern Nigeria.
• Floods destroyed an estimated 180,000 cultivated farmlands, displacing thousands and destroying crops.
• Lack of disaster insurance and climate-adaptive infrastructure exacerbates farmers’ vulnerability.

Challenges in Food Distribution and Infrastructure

Transportation and Storage Deficiencies

• Poor rural road conditions hinder efficient transport of farm produce to markets.
• Insecurity along transport routes further restricts movement of food supplies.
• About 40% of Nigeria’s annual 55 million metric tonnes of food is lost due to inadequate financing, logistics, and cold chain infrastructure (source).

Consequences for Food Availability and Prices (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production)

The broken supply chain results in reduced food availability and increased prices, contributing to one of the highest food inflation rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Basic staples such as rice, tomatoes, and yams have become unaffordable for millions.

Limitations of Social Welfare Programmes in Isolation

Current Government Initiatives

• National Social Investment Programme
• Conditional Cash Transfers
• Renewed Hope Initiative

Challenges in Addressing Hunger

While these programmes provide temporary relief, they are insufficient without addressing food supply issues. Cash transfers increase purchasing power but fail when markets lack food or inflation reduces value. This disconnect undermines the effectiveness of poverty alleviation efforts, highlighting the need for integrated solutions aligned with SDG 2 and SDG 1.

Recommendations for a Sustainable and Integrated Food System

Policy and Infrastructure Reforms

1. Invest in repairing and securing rural roads to improve market access.
2. Establish cold storage facilities near farming clusters through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
3. Enhance rural policing and disarm non-state armed groups to restore security.

Reform of Social Intervention Programmes

• Integrate cash transfers with food stamps, nutrition vouchers, or subsidized farm produce.
• Support farmer cooperatives via public-private partnerships.
• Provide access to insurance, affordable credit, and modern farming tools.

Security as an Economic Priority (SDG 16)

Empowering security agencies to combat rising insecurity is essential to protect farmers and ensure food production can thrive without fear.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s hunger crisis is a policy failure rather than a natural disaster. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to hunger, poverty, climate action, and peace requires an integrated approach that centers on food system reform, rural security, and infrastructure development. Only through such comprehensive strategies can Nigeria secure a sustainable food future for its population.

Report compiled by Sami Tunji, Senior Business Correspondent at The PUNCH Newspaper and Free Trade Fellow at Ominira Initiative.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses persistent poverty in rural Nigeria, especially among smallholder farmers, and the failure of poverty alleviation programs.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Central to the article is Nigeria’s deepening hunger crisis, acute food insecurity, and the collapse of the food supply chain.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The article highlights inadequate infrastructure such as poor roads and lack of storage facilities impacting food distribution.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action – Environmental pressures like flooding and drought due to climate change are emphasized as factors worsening food insecurity.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article details insecurity, violent conflict, and attacks on farmers undermining rural development and food production.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article calls for public-private partnerships and integrated approaches involving government and communities.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
   • Target 1.4: Ensure equal rights to economic resources, including access to basic services and ownership of land.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Target 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers.
   • Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
   • Target 9.3: Increase access to financial services and affordable credit for small-scale producers.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence of acute food insecurity – The article cites 31.8 million Nigerians suffering acute food insecurity, which aligns with indicators measuring hunger levels (e.g., SDG Indicator 2.1.1).
2. Proportion of population living below the poverty line – The article mentions 75% of rural Nigerians living below the poverty line, relevant to SDG Indicator 1.2.1.
3. Number of violent deaths and attacks on farmers – Reference to 1,356 farmers killed between 2020 and 2024 relates to SDG Indicator 16.1.4 on violent deaths.
4. Post-harvest food loss percentage – The article states 40% of food is lost post-harvest due to poor logistics, which can be linked to food loss indicators under SDG 2.4.1.
5. Access to infrastructure – The condition of rural roads and storage facilities implies measurement of infrastructure quality (SDG Indicator 9.1.1).
6. Climate-related disaster impacts – Flooding destroying 180,000 farmlands relates to indicators measuring disaster impacts and resilience (SDG Indicator 13.1.2).
7. Coverage of social protection programs – Mention of cash transfers and social investment programs implies indicators on social protection coverage (SDG Indicator 1.3.1).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: nairametrics.com