By Milcah Tanimu

In 2023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allocated a total of $2.13 billion to Nigerians for food imports, highlighting the nation’s ongoing struggle with food security. Despite Nigeria’s reputation as the food basket of Africa, persistent issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and climate change have significantly impacted local food production, driving up the reliance on imports.

The demand for foreign food products remained steady throughout the year, even as the average price of imported food commodities surged by 34% between April 2023 and April 2024. This increase is reflective of broader global trends affecting sub-Saharan Africa, a region heavily dependent on food imports for its staple diet.

The rising food import bill poses a significant challenge to Nigeria’s economy. Efforts to boost domestic production have been hampered by various factors, including severe flooding and security concerns. The Federal Government’s strategies to mitigate high food costs, including a policy against food imports, have yet to yield substantial results.

Monthly disbursements for food imports by the CBN varied, with January 2023 seeing $245.7 million and December 2023 recording $126.2 million. The total expenditure for the year was 23% lower than the $2.7 billion spent in the previous year.

In its April 2024 food inflation report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) noted a significant increase in food prices, with an annual rate of 32.74%, up from 23.22% in April 2023. The price hikes affected various food categories, including bread, cereals, oils, fats, fish, meat, and fruits.

Kabir Ibrahim, National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, pointed out that while Nigeria has reduced its dependence on certain imports, complete self-sufficiency remains elusive. He anticipates a further increase in food import figures due to ongoing challenges like insecurity and climate-related issues.

Professor Yusuf Muda, Managing Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, emphasized the need for detailed data to better understand Nigeria’s food consumption patterns and the specific types of food being imported. He highlighted the importance of differentiating between total food consumption and import expenditure to make informed policy decisions.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with these challenges, the path to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 remains uncertain.