Socio-economic impact of food insecurity on vulnerable population in Nigeria

Abstract

First paragraph: Food insecurity is a significant problem in Nigeria, particularly for those living in poverty; vulnerable populations such as children, women, and the elderly are particularly at risk. This commentary explores the multifaceted issue of food insecurity in Nigeria, drawing from both global and local peculiarities in the socio-economic dimensions, and looks at the impact on vulnerable populations and the government’s response. Understanding of and ideas regarding food security have undergone numerous transformations over the past three dec­ades, which are reflected in many official policy perspectives (Clay, 2002; Heidhues et al., 2004). The concept of food security emerged in the mid-1970s, with the World Food Conference in 1974 defining it in terms of the stability and availability of food commodities at both the national and international levels (FAO, 1996, 2006; FAO & DED, 2006). The notion of food security is influ­enced by four key factors: food availability, afford­ability, utilization, and sustainability (Titus & Adetokunbo, 2007).