Soaring food prices in Nigeria are forcing families to make difficult decisions, with severe consequences for nutrition and health.
As food inflation reached a staggering 37.77% in September 2024, up from 30.64% the previous year, staple protein sources have become luxuries for many households.
Items like a crate of eggs now cost around N6,000, while a kilogram of fish is N5,500 and beef ranges between N6,500 and N7,000. This makes providing balanced meals an uphill struggle for millions of Nigerian families.
The impact is especially severe on childrens nutrition. Protein-rich foods are crucial for growth and cognitive development, yet their rising prices are leading many families to replace these essential nutrients with starchy alternatives.
In desperation, some families have resorted to using bones or cow skin, known locally as pomo, to make soups and add flavour to meals. Fish, once a staple, is also largely out of reach, with families opting for cheaper bony varieties.
Experts and advocates are calling for swift government intervention. Suggested solutions include subsidies on essential foods, expanding school feeding programs to cover more children, and implementing strategic policies to stabilise food prices.
Nutritionists have recommended alternative protein sources, such as crayfish and soybeans. They warned that without coordinated efforts, the long-term health of millions of Nigerian children hangs in the balance.
According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization, 35% of Nigerian children under five are stunted, and 7% suffer from wasting.
