Investigating and Quantifying Food Insecurity in Nigeria: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Given the recent increase in the number of Nigerians estimated to be at risk of food insecurity, it is crucial to explore the array of tools used to quantify food insecurity (FI). This exploration will help determine the prevalence and severity of FI in Nigeria. This review explored the scope of FI research carried out in Nigeria to examine how the design was quantified. A systematic review was performed to compile the accessible Nigerian studies. Seventy-nine studies were reviewed. Eighteen used the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale module (HFIAS) to investigate FI status; thirteen used the recommended daily calorie requirement approach; twelve employed the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM); ten used the food insecurity index (through household per capita food expenditure); seven used the Food Insecurity Experienced Scale (FIES); two used the Food Consumption Score (FCS); and the others employed less standardized or thorough approaches. Different prevalence levels and gravities of FI in the Nigerian populations were documented. The prevalence of FI varied from 12% to 100%, based on the instrument and demography being studied. In accordance with the findings of this review, the authors propose standardization of the FI instrument and highlight the need for a measurement tool that would be appropriate for the Nigerian setting. This will enable researchers to attain a comprehensive knowledge of the occurrence rate of FI in Nigeria, leading to improved food- and nutrition-sensitive policy development.

Exploring the Prevalence and Severity of Global Hunger and Food Insecurity: Recent Dynamics and Sub-Saharan Africa’s Burden

“…Many nations and geographical areas have been grappling with severe hunger in recent time, with situation expected to worsen in early 2024 [1]. Though, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its partners reporting a plateau in the prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) in 2021-2022, Western Asia, the Caribbean and all sub-regions of Africa persisted in experiencing an increase in hunger [2][3][4]. The onset of COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate crises, poverty, increasing inequalities, and skyrocketing food prices have all intensified the prevailing hunger and elevated levels of food insecurity (FI) on a global scale [2,5].…”

Assessing the Prevalence and Severity of Global Hunger and Food Insecurity: Recent Dynamics and Sub-Saharan Africa’s Burden

“…Many nations and geographical areas have been grappling with severe hunger in recent times, with the situation expected to worsen in early 2024 [1]. Though the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and its partners reported a plateau in the global prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) in 2021-2022, Western Asia, the Caribbean, and all sub-regions of Africa have persistently experienced an increase in hunger [2][3][4]. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate crises, poverty, increasing inequalities, and skyrocketing food prices have all intensified the prevailing hunger and elevated levels of food insecurity (FI) on a global scale [2,5].…”

Conceptual triple E model for sustainable food security: A solution-based framework for hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria

“…According to the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) report for 2022, Nigeria ranked 113 th among 113 countries in terms of food affordability, 108 th in terms of availability, 57 th in terms of 57 sustainability and adaptation, and 79 th in quality and safety (Otekunrin et al 2023). Nigeria's overall score of 42/100 was ranked 107 th out of 113 globally and 25 th out of 28 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries (Otekunrin et al 2023). In some sense, many countries are not food secure, including some of the developed countries.…”