Food price inflation threatens to leave many individuals in a deteriorating food insecure position since over half of the foods consumed by Nigerian families come from purchases.
- Wheat is the third most consumed grain in Nigeria, with local production making up barely 1% of the 5 to 6 million metric tons of wheat used yearly
- Nigeria’s opportune investments in the fertilizer business set it as a credible alternative and regional fertilizer powerhouse
- Europe’s search for alternative energy markets and a reduction in its reliance on Russian oil and gas creates an opportunity for Nigeria
Recent global shocks and rising commodity prices
The recent spike in global market prices for essential food commodities is almost identical to the 2008 food crisis, posing a global danger to food security. The situation is exceedingly terrible in Africa, where the COVID-19 epidemic and, more recently, the Russia-Ukraine conflict have shown the susceptibility of food systems to big shocks, particularly in countries like Nigeria, which depend heavily on imports of critical staple crops like rice and wheat.
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Nigeria confronts various dangers to its already tenuous food security as global food prices rise and the supply of wheat, oils, and other products are interrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Food price inflation threatens to leave many individuals in a deteriorating food insecure position since over half of the foods consumed by Nigerian families come from purchases.
In particular, Nigeria’s reliance on wheat imports may result in high pricing and supply issues. In addition, Nigeria’s capacity to generate other essential products, particularly fertilizer and natural gas, may enable it to capitalize on global market disruptions caused by the crisis.
The food security crisis in Nigeria
Nigeria is especially susceptible to the ongoing global food price spike. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation and greatest economy, with a population of about 217 million people. However, like most African nations south of the Sahara, Nigeria has high rates of poverty. Whereas 42.6 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, 33 per cent of the workforce is unemployed. The population suffers double challenges of food shortages and acute malnutrition. Moreover, 35 per cent of children younger than five are stunted, per the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.
Based on the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises, Nigeria ranks among the ten nations with the most significant number of people in food crisis. Notably, COVID-19-induced shocks have aggravated Nigerian families’ susceptibility and food insecurity.
Nigeria’s wheat import factor
Nigeria imports and consumes a lot of wheat-based goods. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reports that, after maize and rice, wheat is the third most consumed grain in Nigeria. However, local production makes up barely 1% of the 5 to 6 million metric tons of wheat used yearly.
Nigeria emerged as the world’s fourth-largest wheat importer in 2020, after Egypt, China, and Turkey. With a value of about $2.15 billion, this commodity was Nigeria’s second-largest import after oil products (petrol and diesel). Wheat was also the country’s biggest food import. In 2020, Russia ($401 million) was the second-largest supplier of wheat imports behind the United States ($518 million).
Due to underlying issues, including poor adoption of agricultural technology, limited success in agricultural research and development, disruptions like wars and conflicts, and climate-driven crises, Nigeria’s dependence on imports might not decrease soon.
Thus, even before the COVID-19 epidemic and the most recent Russia-Ukraine crisis, the nation’s food security was susceptible to fluctuations in the price of food on a worldwide scale. Nigeria’s continuous dependence on banning and restricting imports to promote domestic food production underlies this vulnerability. This strategy often produces higher costs for both imported and native food products.
Surging wheat prices and the effect on Nigeria’s food security
Recent findings based on comprehensive and long-term monthly food price data have revealed considerable price rises for all chosen food categories during the pandemic. Imported rice and wheat costs, for example, have climbed by 41% and 21%, respectively.
Wheat prices surged by 21% nationally, with considerable increases in price dispersion across markets when the epidemic began, and prices continue to grow.
Wheat is the main component of bread and other products such as noodles, pasta, semolina, and other Nigerian pantry staples. The consumption of these items is higher in cities due to easier market access than in rural regions. Nevertheless, bread remains a major staple throughout the country.
The effect of the pandemic on wheat prices
Wheat flour costs, largely constant until 2019, jumped by roughly 3% as the COVID-19 pandemic hit and then by 28% in 2020. Domestic wheat flour costs have risen steadily since. Sliced and unsliced bread has followed a similar pattern; prices were stable before the COVID-19 epidemic but have since risen.
War-related global market interruptions and increased costs would result in product shortages and even higher domestic pricing in Nigeria. Consumers might change their eating habits and switch to cheaper alternatives such as cassava products. Producers may compromise product quality by combining wheat flour with other options such as sorghum and maize flour to keep costs consistent and remain competitive. This will impact food quality and safety, with potentially detrimental nutritional consequences.
Reducing overdependence on wheat imports in Nigeria
In attempts to lessen its reliance on wheat imports, the government may be time to rethink President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2002 “cassava inclusion” strategy. The strategy recommended replacing at least 10% high-quality cassava flour for wheat in bread and confectionary production.
The policy previously failed due to the disobedience of flour millers and other issues. However, a modified version might operate under current conditions.
Nigeria urgently needs to reduce its reliance on wheat. As a result, it may reconsider temporarily lifting the 15% levy on wheat imports imposed in 2012 to increase local cassava production. The government should try substituting cassava flour for wheat flour in bakery products and boost local wheat production.
Fertilizer represents an export opportunity for Nigeria
That scenario might change with the March 2022 opening of the Dangote Fertilizer Plant. The plant will produce 3 million metric tons of granulated urea per year. Nigeria is presently the continent’s biggest producer of fertilizer. President Muhammadu Buhari declared during the plant’s inaugural ceremony that Nigeria would begin exporting fertilizer.
Russia is among the world’s top fertilizer suppliers. With the global markets disrupted by conflict and sanctions, importing countries are exploring new supplies. Nigeria’s opportune investments in the fertilizer business set it as a credible alternative and regional fertilizer powerhouse. The development may mitigate some of the crisis’s adverse effects on fertilizer-importing nations, notably those in West Africa.
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Social welfare and economic opportunity in Nigeria’s natural gas sector
Europe’s search for alternate energy markets and a reduction in its reliance on Russian oil and gas creates an opportunity for Nigeria. According to the African Energy Chamber Outlook Report, Nigeria’s gas output will rise from 1,450 billion cubic feet (bcf) in 2021 to 1,780 bcf in 2022. The rise would boost internal energy security and allow for more significant exports to Europe and other markets.
Nigeria also supplies liquefied natural gas (LNG) to several European countries. Now, it aims to build the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline with partners Niger and Algeria. The pipeline would carry LNG from Nigeria to European markets, allowing Nigeria to expand exports and diversify its natural gas suppliers.
Nigerian export revenue heavily relies on crude oil (nearly 90% of total exports). With the country’s international debt service payments increasing over time, future investments in the natural gas industry will be contingent on the country’s prudent fiscal and debt management policies. This case is by no means guaranteed, given experience, but still possible. Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio, approximately 32% in March 2022, is within a manageable debt servicing range. It is also relatively low compared to other West African countries. Thus, it remains to be seen if the possibilities amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict would eventually strengthen Nigeria’s position as a key gas supplier to global markets.
Safety nets for Nigeria
Given the rapidly unfolding challenges of the Ukraine-Russia crisis, many Nigerians may face increased food insecurity in the coming months. The government has not improved safety net support in response to the Ukraine crisis. However, one potential assistance source going forward is Nigeria’s Food Security Cluster (FSC) program. A broad partnership of international organizations forms the program.
During the pandemic, the FSC assisted qualifying Nigerians in various forms. The aid included cash, mobile money transfers, and paper and electronic vouchers. In December 2020, the FSC helped over 4 million people.
Expanding natural gas production could also provide an opportunity to develop social safety nets. The government could establish a “Natural Gas Fund” from the export revenue to back programs to cushion vulnerable citizens amid critical economic shocks.
Nigeria must also address its dependence on food imports and other structural problems. The nation must build long-term resilience to food crises and other shocks. Similar approaches have succeeded in other countries such as Ghana. Ghana Petroleum Funds channel some excess petroleum revenue to “serving as an endowment to support future development.”
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