AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC OPINION ON THE EFFECT OF FOOD INSECURITY ON STANDARD OF LIVING UNDER PRESIDENT BOLA AMED TINUBU ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Food, clothes, and shelter are the fundamental need for human beings. It is commonly referred to as essential necessities. Throughout the course of human civilization, ensuring food security has been an essential and indispensable factor for individuals.  It is of significant importance for nations with a large population and inadequate agricultural infrastructure.  The notion of food security emerged approximately 50 years ago during the worldwide food crises in the early 1970s. Around sixty years ago, there were approximately 200 published definitions of food security found in various works (Smith et al., 2023).  Food security has seen a transformative shift during the past several years, both in terms of spatial and temporal dimensions. Occasionally, the notion of food security and its strategies have been established and adjusted based on the collective comprehension of the nature of the food issue and the progression of the worldwide food system.

The word and concept of food security originated approximately six and a half decades ago during the World Food Conference held in 1974 by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (Maxwell, 2018).  The global community convened in this conference with the objective of addressing food security by increasing food production, ensuring a reliable food supply, and mitigating the impact of fluctuating food prices (Anderson et al, 2019). Additionally, the concept of food insecurity emerged for the first time, serving as a tool to understand the interconnectedness between hunger, poverty, and unemployment. Food insecurity is a multifaceted issue that arises from a variety of variables, which differ in significance among different social groups, regions, countries, and over time. 

Food security can be defined as the state in which all individuals have consistent and reliable access to an adequate supply of food that is both safe and nutritious, and that fulfils their dietary requirements and personal food preferences, enabling them to lead active and healthy lives.  (IFPRI, 2019).  Food security is a crucial aspect of human existence as it has a direct impact on human well-being and also plays a significant role in determining the stability of a state's economy and politics (Silas, 2017). Food insecurity is defined as the restricted or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food, or the limited ability to obtain appropriate food in socially acceptable ways (Silas, 2017).  Individuals whose food consumption falls below their basic calorie requirements are classified as food insecure. This category also includes individuals who are physically unfit or have diseases resulting from insufficient food intake, hunger, or malnutrition. Food insecurity can be characterised as a chronic, ongoing problem, a seasonal occurrence, or a temporary circumstance. Food instability and hunger result in significant amounts of human suffering. The World Health Organisation reports that about 60 percent of childhood deaths in developing nations are attributable to persistent hunger and malnutrition (WHO, 2021). In less developed countries like Nigeria, persistent malnutrition makes children weak, vulnerable, and less able to fight common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, malaria, and measles.

Food insecurity is a major worldwide problem that has a direct impact on the quality of life, especially in developing nations. According to Ekpo (2019), the standard of living refers to the overall degree of income, comforts, and services that are accessible within a society or specific place, rather than being specific to an individual. According to Chris (2022), the standard of living is important because it is believed to have an impact on an individual's quality of life. The standard of living primarily focuses on objective indicators that are beyond an individual's personal influence, such as economic, societal, political, legal, and environmental factors. These are the factors that individuals may take into account when deciding where to live or when evaluating the effectiveness of economic policies (Marvel, 2023). Food insecurity has emerged as a critical problem in Nigeria, significantly impacting the welfare and standard of living of numerous households. Gaining insight into public sentiment regarding this issue is essential for formulating efficient strategies and interventions targeted at mitigating food insecurity and improving the quality of life.

Under President Bola Tinubu's leadership, Nigeria has witnessed a substantial surge in food insecurity 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 financial resources to acquire a wider range of meals, persons with lower incomes have restricted options when it comes to essential food products, which make up approximately 66% of their daily diet. 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 past year, there has been a 5.4 million increase in the number of individuals facing extreme food insecurity, bringing the total to 27 million. This accounts for almost 10 percent of the population (Jimoh et al., 2024). Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Food insecurity continues to be a widespread problem in Nigeria, greatly impacting the quality of life for millions of its inhabitants. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has launched a range of policies and measures to tackle this situation. The effectiveness of these initiatives in ensuring food security and enhancing the standard of living is being closely examined by the public. Gaining insight into public sentiment regarding this matter is essential for assessing the efficacy of the present government's strategies and implementing required modifications to more effectively cater to the populace's requirements.

According to Nairametrics, the rural unemployment rate rose to 4.0% in the third quarter of 2023, a considerable increase from the previous quarter's figure of 2.5% (Nairametrics, 2024). The sharp increase of 60% within a three-month period highlights a growing problem, where the absence of safety in agricultural regions is a significant contributor to the rise in unemployment. The persistent insecurity in the northern areas of Nigeria has not only led to higher unemployment rates but has also severely hindered food production, leading to a worrisome rise in hunger and worsening food prices (Premium Times, 2024). The Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) has noted a current food crisis in the Nigerian economy, marked by a significant surge in food prices, escalating transportation expenses, insecurity, insufficient infrastructure, and volatility in foreign exchange rates (LCFE, 2024).

Nyong (2018) observes that climate change has caused significant changes in the natural environment, such as droughts, changes in rainfall patterns, temperature fluctuations, and the occurrence of floods or the depletion of water bodies. As a result, northern pastoralists have been forced to migrate southward into regions that were traditionally inhabited by sedentary farmers. The Nomadic Fulani herders are being forced to relocate towards the southern areas as their grazing field is being desertification as a result of climate change. Tokunbo (2017) asserts that the movement of Fulani ranchers from their native territory to the northern Guinea savanna and the edge of the humid tropical forest is mostly attributed to climate change. This phenomenon has resulted in deteriorating environmental conditions, land degradation, and frequent droughts. The climatic oscillations in their position compelled the pastoralists to relocate towards the more humid region, resulting in the interaction between the crop farmers and the pastoralists. Fluctuations in climatic conditions directly impact the availability of natural resources. These causes, along with population growth, insufficient governance, and property ownership problems, lead to increased competition for scarce natural resources, especially fertile land and water. As a result, there is an emergence of tensions and clashes between rural communities and the Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria (Obot, 2023). This has worsened the problem of food insecurity among rural populations in numerous state and Nigeria as a whole.

Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that areas where agricultural goods are cultivated frequently face obstacles in effectively transporting them to processing facilities or retail markets for distribution (Akanimoh, 2024). The main difficulties arise from insufficient agricultural infrastructure, which impedes the ability to consistently cultivate and process crops, resulting in reduced output, preservation difficulties, and fluctuating prices across seasons. Additionally, there is a lack of efficient collaboration among government entities responsible for overseeing food policies (Anietie et al., 2023). Inadequate coordination frequently results in a substantial excess of perishable agricultural products, without the required storage or processing capacities to manage them. This has led to ongoing food wastage in rural regions where agriculture is practiced, and is also a contributing reason to food scarcity. Therefore, it is imperative to do this research.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess public opinion on the effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To evaluate the extent of food insecurity Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

To find out whether there is a relationship between food insecurity and the standard of living of Nigerians

To evaluate the effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

To provide recommendations to improve food security policies and enhance the standard of living.

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 is the extent of food insecurity Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration?

What is the relationship between food insecurity and the standard of living of Nigerians?

What is the effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration?

What are the recommendations provided to improve food security policies and enhance the standard of living?

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: The extent of food insecurity Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration State is low.

Ho2: There is no relationship between food insecurity and the standard of living of Nigerians.

Ho3: There is no effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

Ho4: There are no recommendations provided to improve food security policies and enhance the standard of living.

1.6 Significance of the study

This study on public opinion regarding the impact of food insecurity on the standard of living during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration is important due to its potential to shape policy decisions, increase awareness, empower communities, and encourage evidence-based activism. By magnifying the perspectives of impacted individuals and communities. The study will also function as a reference point for students and scholars. Moreover, it will elevate the general quality of life for Nigerians.

The study will analyse public opinion to get insights into the efficacy of existing government policies and actions in addressing food insecurity. This information can provide valuable guidance to policymakers in enhancing current tactics and formulating novel initiatives to more effectively address the requirements of the population. Improved food security can lead to economic benefits by reducing poverty and increasing workforce productivity. Additionally, the study highlights the socio-economic ramifications of food insecurity on the quality of life. It illuminates the real-life experiences of households impacted by food insecurity, revealing the difficulties they encounter and the strategies they adopt to manage the situation.

Moreover, through the analysis of public sentiment, the study enables communities to express their concerns and engage in conversations regarding policies related to food security. This participation promotes openness and responsibility in government. The study's findings can provide evidence to support lobbying initiatives that attempt to prioritise food security issues on the national agenda. It equips stakeholders with evidence-based arguments to support the case for more investment in agriculture, social safety nets, and poverty reduction programmes. 

Moreover, future academics will employ it as a comprehensive analysis of existing literature. As a result, other students who are interested in exploring this topic will be able to use this work as preexisting information that can be carefully assessed. The study's findings significantly contribute to the current academic knowledge on assessing public opinion regarding the impact of food insecurity on the standard of living during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically assess public opinions on the effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. Specifically, this study seeks to evaluate the extent of food insecurity Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and find out whether there is a relationship between food insecurity and the standard of living of Nigerians. 

Further, this study will focus on evaluating the effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, and it also seeks to provide recommendations to improve food security policies and enhance the standard of living.

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 an assessment of the public opinion on the effect of food insecurity on standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. 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 Nigeria. Consequently, the results of this study are not applicable for generalization, thereby leaving room for further research. 

Additionally, the researcher's limitations were primarily due to financial constraints, as they are a student and do not have a source of income to sustain themselves. It was challenging to afford transportation expenses to and from the study location due to the high cost of transportation, which is influenced by inflation in Nigeria today.

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.

Standard of living: Standard of living refers to the overall degree of income, comforts, and services that are accessible within a society or specific place, rather than being specific to an individual