Feeding Dilemma: Soaring Costs Turn Meals Into Luxuries For Nigerians

It is not an exaggeration to harangue that there has been prevailing hunger in Nigeria, particularly since May 29, 2023 when Nigerians witnessed the inauguration of a new president in the person of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who presently holds sway as Nigeria’s No. 1 Citizen. It is sad to reminisce in this context that the aroma of jollof rice andthe sizzle of suya skewers which once characterized the culinary delight from kitchens across the land are no more. The reason for the absence of the gastronomic enchantment can no doubt be attributed to the recent surge in food prices that has transformed kitchens across not a few homes in the land from a place of comfort to a source of financial strain, so much so that it has now become a luxury to feed; whether dinning in at home or out; even at mere “Mama Put” on the roadside.

In fact, experiential observations have revealed that food price volatility typically have a significant short-term impact on households' welfare. Unfortunately, with the level of hunger, or rather starvation which not a few Nigerians are still grappling with for almost a year today, coupled with their recuperation from the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of basic food items has skyrocketed, leaving many families struggling to afford even the most essential groceries.

Without an iota of scintilla of hyperbole, the ripple effect of these price hikes is evident in both home kitchens and local eateries, colloquially called “Mama Put”. In fact, as families cut back on food expenses, the once-thriving food stalls and restaurants find their customer base dwindling. Given the foregoing, the choice between dining in and eating out has become a luxury many can no longer afford.

Data indicates that since 2016, Nigeria has experienced significant food price volatility, with inflation continuing to rise at double digits. This trend has led to a situation where low to middle-income households spend a substantial portion of their income on food, directly affecting their overall welfare and quality of life.

Experts suggest that policymakers should focus on short-term benefits while formulating policies aimed at improving households' welfare. Given the foregoing, not a few experts are of the view that with the right measures, the government can mitigate the impact of these price surges and ensure that the basic right to food is not a privilege for the few but a guarantee for all.

Unarguably groaning under the weight of the biting hardship across Nigeria since May 29, 2024, it was not in any way startling to this writer when he heard Mrs. Adebayo, in the bustling streets of Lagos, lamenting on how she now has to choose between buying a bag of rice and paying for her children's school fees. "The price of rice has doubled since last year," she laments. "I used to feed my family with one bag for a month, but now, it barely lasts two weeks."

Unarguably expressing similar sentiment with Adebayo, Mr. Okorie, a farmer from Enugu, shares his distress over the rising costs of farm inputs. He lamented, "The fertilizers and seeds are so expensive now. I can't afford to plant as much as I used to, and it's hard to watch my land lie fallow."

Chinedu, a university student, tells of his struggle to manage his meager budget. He said, "I used to eat out with friends once a week, now, we all cook in our dormitory because even the cheapest meal at thecafeteria is beyond our reach.”

Madam Joy, who runs a small eatery in within Ogba in Lagos, expresses her frustration. "My regular customers have stopped coming. They say they can't justify spending so much on a meal when their families are hungry at home."

These stories are just a few among millions, as Nigerians from all walks of life are feeling the pinch of the soaring food prices. The impact is profound, affecting not just the ability to enjoy the nation's rich culinary heritage but also the fundamental quality of life.

Without a doubt, the foregoing sentiments been shared by not a few Nigerians were provoked by the recent inflation numbers from Nigeria which are creating serious concern over the rising cost of food items in the country.

In fact, “The spikes in food prices are not a new phenomenon, as they date back roughly two decades, explains an economic analyst, who added that “Efficient transport infrastructure and local refining of fuel are key to solving the problem, as rising average diesel prices in cheap-food states are linked to rising food prices in expensive-food states".

In the same vein, a food security expert highlights the link between insecurity and food prices, saying that "Food security has been severely threatened in the country due to high inflation rates, supply chain disruptions, climate change, and security challenges. Insecurity in the form of insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping disrupts agricultural activities in several regions, hindering the movement of essential goods and driving food prices up".

Also commenting on why there is pervading food crisis is Mr. James Adebisi, an agricultural policy advisor who suggested thus, "Policymakers should focus on short-term benefits while formulating policies aimed at improving households' welfare. With the right measures, the government can mitigate the impact of these price surges and ensure that the basic right to food is not a privilege.

Given the foregoing narratives, it is not an exaggeration to opine that the food crises in Nigeria are reaching alarming levels. Unarguably, Nigeria, is grappling with a severe surge in inflation rates, especially in food prices, particularly given the fact that she has experienced a worst food crises from October 2023 to March 2024, with food inflation rising from 31.51% in October 2023 to 40.1% in March 2024. This increase was primarily driven by the depreciation of the Naira, which reached an all-time high of over ₦1,600 to a dollar in March 2024, affecting the prices of imported food. Other long-standing issues, such as conflicts in food-producing regions, reduced arable land, climate variability, increased energy costs, and restrictions on foreign exchange for specific food items, contribute to rising food prices.

Between October 2023 and March 2024, data tracked by the Jollof Index showed that the cost of making a pot of Jollof rice increased by 29.3%, from ₦13,106 in October to ₦16,955 in March 2024. Apart from the effect of the Naira devaluation, the price of rice drove inflation during the period. A bag of rice increased from about ₦56,000 in October 2023 to approximately ₦87,000 in the first week of March 2024.

As a result, both the government and businesses resorted to extreme measures during this period. Some companies, like Olam, temporarily suspended their large-scale grain purchases, government authorities in Kano seized ten warehouses over accusations of food hoarding, and some hoodlums took to looting warehouses. As prices maintain an upward trend, many Nigerians need help to keep up as the conversation shifts from the ability to access balanced diets and quality protein sources to the inability to afford food.

In fact, there is a consistent trend of increased prices across all geopolitical zones. The national average cost of cooking a pot of jollof rice across the 13 markets surveyed surged by 29.3%, from ₦13,106 to ₦16,955. Onitsha, previously the most affordable market, experienced the highest percentage increase at 44.9%, while Nyanyamarket in Abuja recorded the lowest percentage increase at 15.5%.

Without any iota of exaggeration, the food crisis in Nigeria is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. The rising prices are not just causing malnutrition and crime, but also threatening the social fabric of the country. While interventions have been made to address immediate hardships, it is clear that strategic planning is the key to ensuring food is both affordable and available in the long run.