ASSESSMENT OF RURAL DWELLER'S PERCEPTION OF INFLATION AS A CAUSATION OF HUNGER IN RURAL COMMUNITIES UNDER PRESIDENT TINUBU ADMINISTRATION 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Since 2015, there has been a gradual increase in hunger and malnutrition on a global scale, with around 800 million people being affected in 2021 (Damian, 2023). In the past year alone, the anticipated cost of addressing humanitarian needs worldwide has increased by 25 percent. The world is currently not making sufficient progress to achieve the worldwide objective of eradicating hunger by 2030. The primary factors contributing to famine are severe weather occurrences, armed conflict and bloodshed, economic disruptions, and rapidly increasing food costs. All these factors collectively contribute to the exacerbation of this serious food and nutritional crisis. Hunger, as defined by the United Nations, refers to the periods when individuals face acute food insecurity, resulting in complete days without consuming food due to insufficient funds, limited access to food, or other resource constraints (UN, 2023). Hunger, as defined by Adeoye et al. (2023), refers to the distress that arises from a scarcity of food. The threshold for food deprivation, often known as undernourishment, is a daily intake of less than 1,800 calories. Undernutrition encompasses more than just the intake of calories and refers to insufficiencies in energy, protein, and/or vital vitamins and minerals. Based on the aforementioned concepts, it may be inferred that hunger arises due to a lack of food security.

Food is an essential element in the hierarchy of necessities for any family due to its key role in human existence. Therefore, ensuring its security should be a top priority for any country's national interest (Abubakar, 2018). In order for a country to achieve food security, it is necessary for the majority, if not all, of its population to have consistent access to an adequate, safe, and nutritious food supply that meets their dietary requirements and preferences, enabling them to lead active and healthy lives (Seun, 2019).   Conversely, home food insecurity refers to the situation where individuals within a household do not have reliable means to obtain sufficient quantities of safe, nutritious, and socially acceptable food necessary for a healthy and productive life (Henry et al., 2021). Household food insecurity arises from both insufficient food supply and limited food accessibility resulting from elevated food costs (Imeh, 2022).  Moreover, elevated food costs have a negative impact on the ability of the rural poor to obtain food, as they allocate a significant portion of their income towards purchasing food that they are unable to produce, resulting in a reduced amount of disposable income.  The affordability of food significantly influences people's ability to obtain it (Akpabio, 2017).

Malnutrition and lack of access to sufficient food are substantial challenges in rural Nigeria. The situation is influenced by several reasons, such as low agricultural output, insufficient infrastructure, and restricted market access (Promise, 2018). Inflation worsens these problems by increasing the difficulty for rural households to afford essential commodities. In Nigeria, there has been a significant increase in food prices as a result of inflation, leading to widespread hunger among households. Inflation, as defined by Okpi (2021), is the upward movement of prices for goods and services. Inflation, as defined by Osas (2020), refers to a pervasive and enduring increase in prices and customs. The rise will be allocated among several classifications of economic goods. Inflation alters the connections between prices.  The consumer price index (CPI) quantifies the average fluctuation in prices of frequently purchased goods such as food, clothing, and transportation (Okpi, 2021). Inflation is a significant economic concern that impacts countries worldwide. It refers to a continual increase in the overall price level of products and services (Kingsley et al., 2019). In Nigeria, inflation has been a persistent issue that has had substantial repercussions on several facets of life, especially in rural communities where the majority of the population is involved in agriculture and other low-income endeavours (Ugwu et al., 2022). 

Agriculture is the primary source of income for rural populations in Nigeria. Inflation can have a significant impact on these communities by augmenting the expenses associated with agricultural inputs, transportation, and food goods. Inflationary pressures on critical commodities might result in diminished buying capacity and heightened food insecurity (Ugochukwu, 2019). Nigeria's economy has encountered numerous obstacles, such as volatile oil prices, political instability, and deficiencies in infrastructure. The aforementioned factors have led to the nation's susceptibility to inflation (Okafor, 2023). The Tinubu administration, which assumed office in May 2023, has inherited an economy struggling with elevated inflation rates. It is imperative to tackle inflation in order to enhance the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those residing in rural regions who are frequently subjected to a disproportionate impact. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the viewpoints of rural residents regarding inflation in order to develop efficient strategies to address hunger and enhance food security. Therefore, the necessity for this investigation arises.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigeria has faced substantial economic difficulties in recent years, with inflation emerging as a particularly urgent concern. The issue of inflation's effect on the daily lives of Nigerians, especially those residing in rural regions, continues to be a significant problem during President Bola Tinubu's administration. Rural areas, which mainly depend on agriculture and other low-income occupations, are frequently the most severely affected by increasing costs, resulting in significant repercussions such as food insecurity and famine.

A significant worry in Nigeria is the government's hesitancy to increase the minimum wage for its citizens, despite the inflationary consequences of many policies (Obi, 2024). High inflation rates can lead to a decline in the overall standard of living, as individuals struggle to maintain their previous levels of spending and lifestyle (Sunny, 2021). Rising costs in food, housing, healthcare, and education force households to make difficult financial decisions, sometimes leading to reduced savings and limited investment opportunities. Furthermore, inflation can exacerbate income inequality, as it disproportionately affects persons with fewer financial resources (Akabueze, 2023). Enacting additional measures, such as increasing the minimum wage, would have been a viable strategy to alleviate the impact of inflation on the Nigerian population.

Although the government has implemented several measures to stabilise the economy, rural residents nevertheless perceive that inflation is gradually diminishing their ability to purchase essential goods, hence making it more challenging for them to acquire basic requirements (Akande, 2024). This is because the government has consistently failed to provide essential infrastructure for people living in rural areas. This amenity encompasses the presence and ease of access to vital services such as healthcare, education, clean water, and sanitation (Onai, 2024). Infrastructure development in rural areas, such as the construction of roads and the provision of power, has a substantial impact on the socio-economic conditions. Furthermore, the Tinubu administration has neglected to take into account the financial and job status of individuals living in rural areas when enacting legislation (Akande, 2024). These concerns have been expressed regarding the sufficiency of existing policies and their efficacy in reducing the negative impact of inflation on disadvantaged people. This study aims to evaluate the perspective of rural inhabitants regarding inflation as a contributing factor to hunger in rural communities during President Bola Tinubu's administration.

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically assess rural dweller's perception of inflation as a causation of hunger in rural communities under President Tinubu administration. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To determine the extent of inflation on rural dwellers under President Tinubu administration

To examine the perceptions of rural dwellers on the impact of inflation on their purchasing power.

To identify challenges faced by rural dwellers due to inflation.

To provide solutions based on the findings to mitigate the effects of inflation on hunger in rural areas.

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 inflation on rural dwellers under President Tinubu administration?

What are the perceptions of rural dwellers on the impact of inflation on their purchasing power?

What are the challenges faced by rural dwellers due to inflation?

What are the solutions based on the findings to mitigate the effects of inflation on hunger in rural areas?

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.:

Ho: The extent of inflation on rural dwellers under President Tinubu administration is low.

Ha: The extent of inflation on rural dwellers under President Tinubu administration is high.

1.6 Significance of the study

The significance of this study lies in its potential to inform evidence-based policies, improve governance effectiveness, empower rural communities, and contribute to broader discussions on socio-economic development and food security in rural areas under President Tinubu's administration.

Furthermore, the research emphasises both the immediate and indirect impacts of inflation on the state of food security, providing a thorough comprehension of the matter. Tackling the underlying factors of hunger, such as inflation, helps to foster enduring resilience in rural areas. The study's findings can provide guidance for sustainable development methods that bolster local economies, promote food security, and improve livelihood prospects. 

Furthermore, the results of the study can provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in developing specific measures to address hunger and enhance living standards in rural Nigeria. 

Ultimately, upcoming scholars will utilise it as a thorough examination of the current body of scholarly works. Consequently, other students with an interest in studying this subject will have the opportunity to utilise this work as dependable material that can be comprehensively evaluated. 

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically assess rural dweller's perception of inflation as a causation of hunger in rural communities under President Tinubu administration. Specifically, this study seeks to determine the extent of inflation on rural dwellers under President Tinubu administration and examine the perceptions of rural dwellers on the impact of inflation on their purchasing power. Further, this study will focus on identifying challenges faced by rural dwellers due to inflation and it also seeks to provide solutions based on the findings to mitigate the effects of inflation on hunger in rural areas.

1.8 Limitations of the study

Like in any human attempt, the researchers encountered several small limits during the investigation. The primary constraint was the scarcity of comprehensive literature on the topic, as there is a paucity of data for evaluating the perception of inflation as a cause of hunger among rural residents in rural communities during President Tinubu's term. Therefore, a substantial investment of time and effort was required to find the suitable materials, books, or information and collect data. 

Moreover, this study is limited by its limited sample size and restricted geographical reach, namely concentrating just on Nigeria. Hence, the findings of this study cannot be extrapolated, thereby necessitating additional investigation. 

Furthermore, the researcher's limitations were predominantly attributable to budgetary restraints, as they are a student and lack a means of financial support. The research location's high transportation costs, impacted by current inflation in Nigeria, made it difficult to afford transportation fees.

In addition, the researcher encountered a time limitation as a result of the necessity to do this research while simultaneously meeting the responsibilities of attending lectures and engaging in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Public perception: Public perception is simply the type of information obtained from a public opinion survey. That is, “publicopinion” is merely the aggregate views of a group of people (usually a randomly selected sample) who are asked directly what they think about particular issues or events.

Inflation: Inflation is the rate of increase in prices over a given period of time. Inflation is typically a broad measure, such as the overall increase in prices or the increase in the cost of living in a country.

Standard of living: Standard of living is the quality quantities of goods and services available to the total number of people living in a geographical area at a particular time for some time.