A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF FOOD SCARCITY UNDER PRESIDENT BOLA AMED TINUBU ADMINISTRATION; IT CAUSES AND EFFECTS ON THE RESIDENTS OF LAGOS STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Adequate food production is the primary and indispensable element of achieving social and economic fairness (Basil, 2017). In order for a nation to earn a respected position among other nations, it must prioritize the ability to provide sustenance for its population, even if it lacks the capability to send astronauts to the moon (Ekpenyong et al., 2022). Nigeria possesses a wealth of natural and human resources that, if effectively utilized, have the potential to provide sustenance for its population and allow for excess exports to other nations. However, the country is currently facing an ongoing food crisis characterized by insufficient quantities and substandard quality. Instances of malnutrition and undernutrition are increasing on a daily basis. The dietary consumption of the majority of Nigerians is much below the worldwide benchmark. 

Food security encompasses both the presence of food and an individual's ability to obtain it. A home is deemed to be food secure when its residents do not experience hunger or live in apprehension of starving (Yomade, 2018). Food security is the state in which every individual has consistent and unrestricted access to an adequate supply of food that is both safe and nutritious, enabling them to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle (Clarence, 2021). Food security for a home refers to the consistent availability of sufficient food for all members to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Food security encompasses the essential elements of having access to sufficient, nutritious, and safe food, as well as the ability to obtain appropriate food by socially acceptable means, without having to rely on emergency food supplies, scavenging, theft, or other survival tactics (Olamilekan 2018).

The World Bank Policy Study (2017) defines food security as the universal availability of sufficient food to sustain an active and healthy lifestyle for all individuals. According to the Economic Commission for Africa (2019), food security includes not only the availability of food through storage and trade, but also, more significantly, the access to food through domestic or home production. The (FAO, 2019) argues that in order for a country to achieve sustained food security, it is necessary for food supplies to match the growth of the population and urbanization. According to the FAO, it is crucial to address agricultural and population growth in order to achieve food security. 

Food scarcity occurs when individuals experience undernourishment due to the physical absence of food or their insufficient social or economic means to obtain sufficient food (Rajj et al., 2019). Food insecure individuals are those who do not consume enough food to meet their minimum energy needs. They may also experience physical symptoms due to a lack of essential nutrients, either from an insufficient or imbalanced diet, or because their bodies are unable to effectively utilize food due to infection or disease. Food insecurity, as defined by FAO (2019), is the result of insufficient intake of nutritious food, taking into account the body's physiological needs for nutrition and health. Malnourishment is also a cause of ill health, resulting in individuals being unable to support their family. When hunger is not dealt with, it triggers a series of consequences that continue malnutrition, decrease the capacity of people to work and have healthy children, and diminish children's ability to study and live fulfilling, healthy, and happy lives (Nsima et al., 2017). This curtailment of human growth diminishes a nation's capacity for long-term economic progress.

Exploring the factors contributing to food insecurity in Nigeria is a challenging endeavour due to the prevalent indifference among Nigerians towards locally sourced food. Instead, they show a preference for imported food, which they perceive as superior than domestically produced alternatives. The rise of the oil industry and the significant wealth generated from it led to a shift in focus away from agriculture, to the point that even domestic food production is not prioritized as needed. The government believed that it was more advantageous to engage in food imports rather than pursue local production, particularly given that the preferences of many Nigerians have shifted towards foreign imported commodities due to the influence of oil wealth.

Prior attempts to enhance food supply via agricultural productivity have not achieved favorable outcomes. The Federal Government has implemented numerous efforts to bolster domestic food production and reduce reliance on imports. These measures consist of the ban on rice imports in 2019, together with the enforcement of the Agriculture Promotion Policy and the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (Adeyemi, 2022).

Since President Bola Tinubu took office, Nigeria has witnessed a substantial rise in food scarcity as a result of the elevated inflation rate in the economy. The food inflation rate surged to 46 percent in September 2023. Unlike affluent households who possess the resources to acquire a wider range of meals, persons with lower incomes have restricted options for essential food products, which make up around 66% of their daily nutritional consumption. Based on data from the World Food Programme (WFP) in November 2023, around 42 percent of the population in 26 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are currently facing food security challenges, with only barely sufficient food consumption. In the last year, there has been a 5.4 million increase in the number of individuals facing extreme food scarcity, bringing the total to 27 million. This accounts for almost 10 percent of the population (Jimoh et al., 2024). This study seeks to analyze the phenomenon of food shortage under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration and its impact and underlying factors on the inhabitants of Lagos state.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The problem of food scarcity has a significant impact on the welfare of those living in Lagos and the wider population of Nigeria. In Nigeria, this is a substantial challenge with far-reaching consequences for health, economic stability, and social welfare. The administration led by President Tinubu has implemented a multitude of policies and programmes to tackle the problem of food insecurity. Nevertheless, despite these endeavours, specific barriers endure, hindering more progress.

An eminent issue that presents a significant peril to food security in Nigeria and Africa as a whole is the inadequate progress in the development of the agricultural sector. Nigeria lacks a viable Agricultural strategy that can effectively promote long-term food security (Tomide, 2023). This is because Nigeria has lacked stable leadership until recently, leading to frequent changes in policies. Nigeria experienced a lack of stable political leadership until 1999, when the country transitioned to a fully democratic system without military involvement (Ikenna et al., 2023). This has resulted in policy inconsistencies that may have hindered the country's progress towards a stable trajectory, which could have guaranteed a continuous food supply. On the contrary, successive administrations have implemented various agricultural policies that have resulted in the termination of old ones, even when such policies were proven to be successful and sustainable. Certain government actions impede the functioning of markets, establish regulations that hinder commerce, and eliminate price indicators for farmers. Export restrictions and trading bans create a situation where local markets are cut off from the global market, which discourages farmers from increasing their production for the upcoming season. This, in turn, limits the ability to respond to high prices by increasing the supply.

In Nigeria, the insurgency has emerged as the main danger to food security in recent times. Nigeria is currently facing a significant problem, which is one of the most severe challenges it has faced since gaining independence from Britain in 1960 (Sule et al., 2024). The North East region of Nigeria, part of the six geo-political zones, plays a crucial role in providing significant quantities of important food items such as grains and wheat, as well as a major amount of dairy products and animal protein in the form of meat. However, it is currently facing a serious threat from extremists (Raymond, 2024). The agricultural activities in the areas have been interrupted, leading to the closure of companies worth millions of US Dollars. This has not only impacted the food security of the region, but it has also touched virtually every portion of the country, leading to a significant increase in the prices of vital food commodities throughout Nigeria. Over one million citizens have been forcibly relocated, both within their own country and beyond borders, resulting in a death toll over ten thousand (Nsikan, 2024). The surviving individuals in the afflicted regions are unable of sustaining their agricultural activities in those areas, leading to a disruption of the country's agricultural value chain and thus causing a decline in food output. The issues emerged in 2009 and intensified in 2014, persisting up to the present time.

Furthermore, studies have shown that areas where agricultural goods are cultivated frequently have difficulties in transporting them to processing facilities or retail markets for distribution (Akanimoh, 2024). The main obstacles arise from insufficient agricultural infrastructure, which impairs the ability to farm and process crops throughout the year, resulting in reduced productivity, preservation difficulties, and unstable prices throughout seasons. Moreover, there is an insufficiency of efficient collaboration among governmental entities tasked with overseeing food policies (Anietie et al., 2023). Inadequate coordination frequently results in a substantial excess of perishable agricultural products, without the requisite storage or processing capacities to accept them. Therefore, it is imperative to do this research.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess the issue of food scarcity under president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration; it causes and effects on the residents of Lagos state. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To identify the factors contributing to food scarcity in Lagos State under President Tinubu's administration.

To evaluate the impact of food scarcity on the health of Lagos State residents.

To determine the effect of food scarcity on the academic performance of pupils in Lagos state.

To proffer solutions to address food scarcity in Lagos state.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What are the factors contributing to food scarcity in Lagos State under President Tinubu's administration?

What is the impact of food scarcity on the health of Lagos State residents?

What are effects of food scarcity on the academic performance of pupils in Lagos state?

What are the solutions adopted to address food scarcity in Lagos state?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho1: There are no factors contributing to food scarcity in Lagos State under President Tinubu's administration

Ho2: There is no impact of food scarcity on the health of Lagos State residents.

Ho3: There are no effects of food scarcity on the academic performance of pupils in Lagos state

Ho4: There are no solutions to address food scarcity in Lagos state

1.6 Significance of the study

The study focuses on a crucial matter that has a significant impact on the welfare and progress of Nigeria as a whole. This study will establish a fundamental reference point for the agricultural sector of Nigeria, as well as for policy makers and the government. Additionally, it will enhance the overall standard of living for Nigerians.

The study will have great importance for the agriculture sector as it will aid in formulating measures to enhance agricultural productivity, which is vital for economic stability and growth. Enhanced food security can result in economic advantages through the alleviation of poverty and the augmentation of workforce productivity.

Moreover, this study will inform government officials and policy makers by offering valuable insights that can inform the development and execution of efficient food security strategies. Additionally, it will provide the government with valuable insights into areas that require enhancement or modification.

Moreover, the study aims to improve the standard of living for Nigerians. The study aims to mitigate poverty by identifying and addressing the socio-economic factors that contribute to food scarcity. The outcome of this study will additionally contribute to the improvement of social stability by mitigating the likelihood of disputes and social upheaval stemming from food scarcity. 

Furthermore, future scholars will utilize it as a literature review. Consequently, other students interested in researching this field will be able to utilize this work as existing material that can be critically evaluated. Without exception, the outcome of the study greatly enhances the existing academic understanding of the risk variables linked to food scarcity in Lagos.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focuses to critically assess the issue of food scarcity under president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Specifically, this study seeks to identify the factors contributing to food scarcity in Nigeria and evaluate the impact of food scarcity on the health of Nigerians. 

Further, this study will focus on determining the effect of food scarcity on the academic performance of pupils in Nigeria, and it also seeks to proffer solutions to address food scarcity in Nigeria.

1.8 Limitations of the study

As is common in all human endeavours, the researchers faced minor limitations when conducting the study. The main limitation was the lack of extensive literature on the subject, as there is limited data available for a comprehensive study of food scarcity under President Bola Amed Tinubu administration; it causes and effects on the residents of Lagos state. Consequently, a significant amount of time and effort was necessary to locate the appropriate materials, books, or information and to gather data. Additionally, this study is constrained by its small sample size and narrow geographical scope, focusing just on Lagos state. Consequently, the results of this study are not applicable for generalization, thereby leaving room for further research. 

Furthermore, the researcher faced a time constraint due to the need to do this research while also fulfilling the obligations of attending lectures and other educational activities.

1.9 Definition of terms

Food security: Food security is when a person is able to obtain a sufficient amount of healthy food on a day-to-day basis.

Food scarcity: food scarcity refers to the shortage of food supplies to meet the dietary needs of a population.

Malnutrition: Malnutrition is a medical condition that occurs when a person's nutrition is either insufficient or excessive, leading to harmful effects.