Assessment of Barriers to Food Security in North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Scholars have long pointed out the relationship between climate change and food security. The impact of climate change on food security tends to be of grave concern in places where rainfed agriculture is at the ground source of food and income. That is the case among the majority of rural people in Nigeria who are disproportionately poor and malnourished. However, the impact of climate change on food insecurity in the context of conflict, displacement, and waning policy response has not been an essential focus of scholars. Based on a reassessment of available studies and latest reports about the nature of climate change, weak adaptation capacity of farmers, poverty, inconsistent policy response, and the increasing occurrence of conflict and displacement, this chapter draws attention to the overlooked unique vulnerability of people prone to conflict and displacement to food insecurity. Accordingly, this chapter highlights existing barriers to food security in conflict-ridden areas in Nigeria from a holistic perspective. It argues that, to date, policies, funding, and infrastructure development meant to ensure food security never approached a scale of priority the problem deserves. It posits that the question of food security in Nigeria reduced to a mere climate change issue and that critical policy, budget, and political issues must tackle as core components of food security response. It concludes by suggesting possible solutions to the multifaceted origins of food insecurity in northern Nigeria.