AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS INITIATED BY THE TINUBU ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The widespread poverty among the urban population in Nigeria is a clear sign of the country's low agricultural production and comparatively low wages. Xavier et al., (2017) provided a definition of absolute poverty as the absence of access to resources necessary for acquiring the basic essentials required to maintain physical efficiency. This implies that impoverished farmers will have limited availability of food, whether it is produced or acquired through purchase. Farm households facing restricted access to productive resources such as land, inputs, and capital, which are necessary for achieving optimal efficiency in food production, may experience food insecurity. In other words, a lack of resources can result in reduced productivity, insufficient food supply, and inadequate income to afford the necessary amount of calories (Isco, 2018). 

According to the World Bank, the rapid urbanisation in some developing nations has resulted in a significant number of impoverished and malnourished individuals residing in urban areas. According to Jamie (2017), it is predicted that within the next decade, a greater number of impoverished and malnourished individuals in developing nations will reside in urban areas rather than rural areas. Insufficient storage and processing infrastructure forces urban farmers to sell their excess produce during harvest time and rely on the market for their food needs during the off-season, as well as for other food products that they do not cultivate. Urban farmers typically employ distribution methods that optimise efficiency, minimise expenses and energy consumption, and facilitate convenient and rapid selling of their agricultural products (Kurt, 2019).

 Food distribution systems in metropolitan settings can be classified based on the type of food provided and the functions they serve. The food categories include of local staples and foreign food goods. The activities of the categories include wholesale, retail, farm-gate middlemen, and modern distribution outlets such supermarkets, self-service foods, and shops (Idris, 2017). In developing nations, a significant proportion of food is channelled through wholesale markets and subsequently supplied within urban areas via retail markets, stores, street vendors, and supermarkets. However, all of these distribution channels encounter various challenges (Usain, 2018). The storage facilities, especially those for cold storage, are inadequate or poorly managed, or both. These challenges result in extra expenses and damages for traders and contribute to a rise in food contamination. 

In developing economies, supermarkets and hypermarkets, which are a combination of supermarkets and department stores, have a limited impact on urban food distribution at the retail level. Despite rapid development since the 1970s, the food retail sector in Latin American cities only represents 30 percent of total sales. These markets primarily serve high-income families and are situated in middle- to high-income urban areas. They mainly distribute manufactured food products and imports (Diego et al., 2018). Locally produced staples constitute a minor fraction of the food sales in these markets. The conventional retail food sector holds a dominant position in marketplaces of emerging countries, thereby playing a crucial role in enhancing the distribution of food in urban areas. However, public retail markets, typically located in urban cores, are often characterised by overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and a lack of security. Local city authorities frequently perceive spontaneous markets as a catalyst for traffic congestion, health hazards, and safety concerns, leading to the harassment of sellers by market thugs (Olaide, 2020). 

The Nigerian Government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, has introduced a substantial step to guide Nigeria towards a promising trajectory of recovery and facilitate the shift to a more varied, resilient, inclusive, and successful country. Food insecurity is an ongoing problem in Nigeria, impacting numerous households throughout the nation. In response to this issue, the administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated various food distribution initiatives with the goal of guaranteeing sufficient food availability for needy communities. These programmes are created to reduce the negative impacts of food insecurity, boost nutritional results, and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities affected by it. This study aims to thoroughly assess the efficacy of food distribution programmes implemented by the Tinubu administration, considering the current circumstances.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Nigeria, affecting a significant number of people and posing significant challenges to the nation's health, economy, and social unity. The Tinubu administration has developed several food distribution projects in order to ensure that every Nigerian receives sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

The efficacy of food distribution programmes mostly hinges on its capacity to reach the intended recipients, particularly those who are most susceptible and lacking access to sufficient food (Okokon, 2018). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has implemented many food distribution programmes to tackle food insecurity in Nigeria. However, the programmes have substantial hurdles in terms of access and reach, which hinder their effectiveness. Ojo (2019) has identified various obstacles related to access and reach, including geographical barriers, logistical challenges, beneficiary identification, coordination, security concerns, and cultural barriers. By addressing these problems, the administration can improve the efficiency of its food security measures.

 Additionally, Ukpaka (2023) identifies banditry and insurgency as significant obstacles to the efficacy of the food distribution programme implemented by the President. Arinze (2018) argues that the Nigerian government's lack of effective control over armed non-state actors has allowed them to establish independent governance systems in certain regions, leading to a notable rise in insecurity. In the north-west region, the prevalence of armed banditry has resulted in occurrences of kidnappings, fatalities, population displacements, and disruptions to socio-economic activity. The food distribution project will not be effective in areas with persistent banditry and insurgency; instead, it will endanger the residents of the society. 

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically evaluate the effectiveness of food distribution programs initiated by the Tinubu administration. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To evaluate the extent to which the food distribution programs are accessible to and reaching the intended beneficiaries.

To assess the impact of the food distribution program on food security and improving the standard of living in Nigeria

To evaluate the challenges hindering the implementation of the food distribution program.

To provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of the food distribution program

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 to which the food distribution programs are accessible to and reaching the intended beneficiaries?

What is the impact of the food distribution program on food security and improving the standard of living in Nigeria?

What are the challenges hindering the implementation of the food distribution program?

What are the recommendations provided to facilitate the implementation of the food distribution program?

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 to which the food distribution programs are accessible to and reaching the intended beneficiaries is low.

Ho2: There is no impact of the food distribution program on food security and improving the standard of living in Nigeria.

Ho3: There are no challenges hindering the implementation of the food distribution program.

Ho4: There are no recommendations provided to facilitate the implementation of the food distribution program.

1.6 Significance of the study

The importance of this study resides in its capacity to catalyse beneficial transformation in the battle against food insecurity in Nigeria. The study intends to assess the efficacy of President Tinubu's administration's food distribution programmes to ensure they are reaching their intended objectives. The findings and suggestions obtained from this assessment will aid in the creation of improved, streamlined, and fairer food distribution initiatives, thereby bolstering the quality of life for at-risk communities and reinforcing food security in Nigeria. This study would establish a fundamental reference point for government officials, policymakers, Nigerian citizens, as well as students and academics.

The study offers crucial input on the efficacy of food distribution programmes, assessing their performance and identifying areas for improvement. This information is extremely helpful for policymakers and programme administrators to improve and optimise the design and implementation of these projects. The study will additionally offer empirical data and facts that might guide future policy decisions. By relying on evidence-based recommendations, new policies and programmes are designed based on factual information and customised to address the specific requirements and concerns of the population.

The study aims to examine public opinion in order to gain insights into the effectiveness of current government policies and activities in assessing the program's success. Assessing the programmes enhances public confidence and trust in government initiatives. When the general population observes that food distribution programmes are efficiently tackling food insecurity and enhancing their quality of life, it cultivates confidence in the administration and its endeavours.

Furthermore, future scholars will utilise it as a thorough examination of the current body of literature. Consequently, other students with an interest in investigating this subject will have the opportunity to utilise this work as existing knowledge that may be thoroughly evaluated. The study's findings make a substantial contribution to the existing academic knowledge about the assessment of the efficacy of food distribution programmes implemented by the Tinubu government.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically evaluate the effectiveness of food distribution programs initiated by the Tinubu administration. Specifically, this study seeks to evaluate the extent to which the food distribution programs are accessible to and reaching the intended beneficiaries and assess the impact of the food distribution program on food security and improving the standard of living in Nigeria. 

Further, this study will focus on evaluating the challenges hindering the implementation of the food distribution program, and it also seeks to provide recommendations to facilitate the implementation of the food distribution program.

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 evaluation of the effectiveness of food distribution programs initiated by the 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 Lagos state. 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