Lagos: The United Nations (UN) has highlighted a growing hunger crisis in northern Nigeria, describing it as “unprecedented.” Analysts estimate that at least 5 million children are currently suffering from acute malnutrition, despite the region traditionally being the nation’s agricultural core, producing crops like maize, millet, and sorghum.
According to Deutsche Welle, in northeastern Nigeria alone, including Borno State, over a million people are believed to be facing hunger. Margot van der Velden, Western Africa Regional Director for the World Food Programme (WFP), stated that nearly 31 million Nigerians are experiencing acute food insecurity and require life-saving food aid, as financial support for West and Central Africa declines.
However, Samuel Malik, a senior researcher at Good Governance Africa, a pan-African think-tank, indicated that the root cause of the issue lies in poor governance and ongoing insecurity, rather than a reduction in aid. Malik noted that while aid is crucial in addressing the severe manifestations of Nigeria’s food insecurity, it was never intended to be a comprehensive or long-term solution.
In Sokoto, northwestern Nigeria, villagers have been forced to flee unsafe areas to places like the Ramin Kura displacement camp. Umaimah Abubakar, a resident from Ranganda village, shared her ordeal of moving after bandits killed her husband and stole livestock. She described the constant threat of attacks and the inability to farm, resulting in a dire food shortage.
In Borno State, near the Lake Chad region, Gurnowa has experienced a significant exodus due to jihadist attacks. Residents have sought refuge in makeshift camps in Monguno, under military protection. The camps house tens of thousands of internally displaced people, fleeing violence that has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than two million in 16 years, according to the UN.
Malik emphasized that the crisis is exacerbated by the Nigerian state’s failure to provide security and governance to rural populations. Displaced persons are hesitant to return to their farmlands, cutting off their primary means of livelihood, leading to systemic neglect and hunger.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has urged displaced individuals to return to farming in time for the rainy season. However, local governments and aid agencies remain concerned about jihadist violence. Some displaced individuals report considering joining Boko Haram due to the dire situation.
Shaafa Usman, a young mother at the Ramin Kura camp, recounted how insecurity affects farming, with kidnappings occurring during planting. Malik explained that farming continues in jihadist-controlled areas, with rural Nigerians paying charges to access fields. Survival often depends on exploitative arrangements with armed groups, as the threat of violence persists.
Jihadist groups engage in subsistence farming to sustain themselves, supplemented by raiding and ransom income. Usman highlighted the risk of kidnapping for those who attempt farming, as villagers can no longer afford ransom payments.