Nigeria dey face one big malnutrition crisis wey dey worsen by the day. According to recent reports, Nigeria now lead Africa in terms of malnutrition rates. The situation especially bad for children and pregnant women who need proper nutrition to stay healthy.
The crisis no be small thing; it dey driven by several factors including high inflation, insecurity, and climate change. For example, the north of the country dey experience severe malnutrition, with a 51% increase in severe malnutrition cases, as reported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Food insecurity also play a big role in this crisis. Statistics from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) show that as of 2023, about 25 million Nigerians were facing moderate to severe food insecurity. This number increase by 20% from the previous year, mainly because of escalating inflation, insecurity, and the effects of climate change.
The lack of access to affordable capital for farmers and poor infrastructure also contribute to the problem. Farmers no get the money to expand their operations or adopt modern farming techniques due to high interest rates, and poorly maintained roads and inadequate storage facilities reduce food availability and increase prices.
The impact of malnutrition go beyond health; it also affect the social and economic fabric of the country. With over 40% of the population living below the poverty line, rising food prices push millions into deeper poverty, leading to further social unrest.
