Subsidy removal: Nigerians facing difficulty accessing food items – Expert
According to Professor Abdulazeez Lawal, a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Farm Management at the University of Ilorin, the removal of fuel subsidies and the fluctuation of the exchange rate have resulted in challenges for many Nigerians in accessing food items. Professor Lawal made this statement during the 244th UNILORIN Inaugural Lecture titled ‘Making Ends Meet With Food Security.’
Citing data from the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Professor Lawal highlighted that the consumer price index increased from 22.22% to 24.41% between April and May 2023. Food inflation also rose from 24.61% in April to 24.82% in May 2023. These figures represented a 5.33% increase compared to May 2022.
He expressed concern that an estimated 17 million people were at risk of food insecurity in October 2022. Professor Lawal emphasized that urgent measures are required to address the ongoing rise in food prices to prevent Nigeria from remaining among the countries with acute food insecurity.
Professor Lawal pointed out that agriculture is a vital component of the global food system and a critical economic sector for many countries. It plays a significant role in employment generation, nutrition, and rural development. Smallholder farmers are responsible for over 80% of the world’s food production.
Considering Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people, approximately 80% depend on small-scale agriculture for their food needs. To improve food supplies and increase the income of farming households, Professor Lawal stressed the need to enhance agricultural production and rural livelihood activities.
He recommended that government authorities, at all levels, should enhance funding and effectively implement food security programs. Additionally, he urged policymakers to develop strategies that encourage technology transfer and the adoption of modern farming techniques by smallholder farmers.
Lastly, Professor Lawal emphasized the importance of ensuring security, particularly in conflict-affected areas, through development and peace-building policies. This multifaceted approach is vital for addressing the challenges related to food accessibility and security in Nigeria.
