By Ayomide Otitoju
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that financial hardship has left two-thirds of Nigerian households unable to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The findings, part of the General Household Survey – Panel Wave 5 (2023/2024), paint a grim picture of the country’s food insecurity amid surging prices and declining purchasing power.
According to the report:
63.8% of households consumed limited food varieties due to lack of funds.
62.4% expressed concern over insufficient food supply.
60.5% admitted eating less than needed.
The study also highlighted a sharp rise in food insecurity, with the proportion of worried households increasing from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current cycle.
Energy and Living Conditions
The survey also exposed stark disparities in energy access, with 82.2% of urban households having electricity compared to 40.4% in rural areas. It noted widespread reliance on wood for cooking and inadequate sanitation, with 45.6% of households resorting to informal waste disposal methods.
Asset ownership has also declined since 2018/19, though 70.4% of households own their homes, with rural ownership significantly higher at 80.1% compared to 49.1% in urban areas.
The findings highlight the persistent challenges of multidimensional poverty in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to improve food security and living conditions.
