Nigeria Faces Acute Food Insecurity Crisis: Integration of Climate and Nutrition Policies Urged

Strategic Insights -

The country's 2025 food security situation is under threat, with over 33 million Nigerians projected to face acute food insecurity, prompting calls for the integration of climate and nutrition policies. Dr Michael Ojo, Country Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), emphasized that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also a nutrition issue, affecting access to safe and nutritious food, particularly for vulnerable populations. GAIN's Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) aims to address the policy disconnect between climate and nutrition, and stakeholders are urged to collaborate in designing sustainable food systems and ending malnutrition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 33 million Nigerians are projected to face acute food insecurity in 2025, according to GAIN.
  • Climate change is affecting agriculture and livelihoods, leading to precarious access to safe and nutritious food, especially for vulnerable populations.
  • 30% of Nigerian children under five are stunted due to chronic undernutrition, according to Dr Ojo.
  • Fewer than 10% of Nigeria's national and sub-national policies reviewed show meaningful integration of climate and nutrition goals.
  • GAIN's I-CAN initiative aims to bridge the policy gap between climate and nutrition, promoting sustainable food systems and ending malnutrition.
  • Dr Sanjo Faniran, Director of Social Development at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, confirmed the federal government is finalizing a climate-resilient National Food and Nutrition Policy.
  • The new policy will incorporate climate adaptation strategies and strengthen local food supply chains.
  • Obinna Igwebuike, Co-founder and CEO of Sawubona Advisory Services, stressed the need for intentional integration of climate and nutrition efforts in existing frameworks.

Statistics:

  • Over 33 million Nigerians are projected to face acute food insecurity in 2025.
  • 30% of Nigerian children under five are stunted due to chronic undernutrition.
  • Fewer than 10% of Nigeria's national and sub-national policies reviewed show meaningful integration of climate and nutrition goals.

Sources:

  • Dr Michael Ojo, Country Director, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate and Nutrition Integration.
  • Dr Sanjo Faniran, Director of Social Development, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
  • Obinna Igwebuike, Co-founder and CEO, Sawubona Advisory Services.
  • GAIN's Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN).
  • National Stakeholder Consultation on Climate and Nutrition Integration, Abuja.