By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The United Nations has raised an alarm over a deepening food crisis in Nigeria, warning that access to basic, nutritious food has reached critical levels as soaring prices push healthy diets far beyond the reach of the vast majority of the population.
According to joint findings by UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the financial barrier to healthy eating in Nigeria has mounted steadily over recent years. UN tracking shows that as far back as 2022, roughly 172 million Nigerians—representing nearly 79 percent of the population—were unable to afford a healthy diet, up from 143.8 million in 2017.
Data indicates that the daily cost per adult for a balanced meal surged from ₦858 in January 2024 to ₦1,241 by mid-2024, with figures continuing an upward trajectory into 2026.
The crisis in Nigeria reflects a wider regional trend across Africa, where roughly 66.6 percent of the population cannot afford a healthy diet, compared to a global average of 32.7 percent (or 2.69 billion people).
The situation is further exacerbated by compounding economic and security challenges. A recent World Bank report indicates that 139 million Nigerians are currently poor or vulnerable to extreme poverty. In addition, the UN estimates that 35 million Nigerians face severe hunger risks this year, including 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. In conflict-affected northern states, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports that 17 million people are experiencing severe food insecurity—the highest levels seen in nearly a decade.
Key factors driving the price surge include fuel price hikes, which jumped from ₦800 to ₦1,400 per liter, sharply driving up transportation and food production costs. Market distortions following the removal of the fuel subsidy and currency devaluation, combined with persistent rural insecurity and climate shocks such as flooding and drought, have severely disrupted agricultural output.
Nutritional experts note that nutrient-dense items—particularly animal proteins, fruits, and vegetables—are the primary cost drivers. Protein sources like meat, fish, and dairy alone account for approximately 39 percent of the total daily cost of a healthy diet.
Development experts and international agencies are urging governments to shift policy focus from mere grain production to making nutrient-rich foods affordable. They emphasize that stabilizing food prices and strengthening social safety nets remain critical to preventing further decline into widespread malnutrition.
