RismadarVoice Reporters
March 22, 2026
Despite spending a staggering N7.65 trillion on food and beverage imports in 2025, Nigeria continues to grapple with worsening hunger and malnutrition, prompting concerns from nutritionists and economic experts over food quality, affordability, and access.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows a steady rise in the country’s food import bill, increasing from N3.83 trillion in 2023 to N6.58 trillion in 2024, and now N7.65 trillion in 2025.
The sharp rise highlights Nigeria’s growing dependence on foreign food supplies for both household consumption and industrial use.
However, experts say the increased spending has not translated into improved food security.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 27.2 million Nigerians are currently facing hunger, with projections indicating the figure could rise to 34.7 million between June and August 2026 if urgent measures are not taken.
The FAO attributes the worsening situation to a mix of factors, including persistent insecurity in key food-producing regions, economic shocks, climate-related disruptions such as floods and drought, and declining purchasing power among citizens.
Affordability, not availability:
Experts argue that the core issue is not just food availability, but affordability.
They note that many Nigerians lack the income needed to access available food, as inflation, unemployment, and high production costs continue to push prices beyond reach.
Recent NBS data shows food inflation climbed to 12.12 per cent in February 2026, reversing earlier declines and reflecting rising prices of staple foods across the country.
Professor of Public Health Nutrition at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Beatrice Ogunba, said increased imports do not necessarily improve nutrition outcomes, warning that much of the imported food is unhealthy and inaccessible to the average Nigerian.
“The issue is not just how much food is imported, but what kind of food is available, who can afford it, and whether it meets nutritional needs. We are importing ultra-processed foods that are energy-dense but nutrient-poor,” she said.
She warned that such consumption patterns contribute to a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, while failing to address undernutrition.
Nigeria, she added, is currently facing a “double burden” of malnutrition, with high levels of stunting – estimated at about 40 per cent, coexisting with rising cases of overweight and obesity.
Structural challenges persist:
Economic experts also point to systemic issues driving high food prices. Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, said structural inefficiencies including poor logistics, high energy costs, and exchange rate depreciation continue to inflate food prices.
“The fact that food is imported does not mean it will be affordable. Processing, transportation, and financing costs all add to the final price,” he explained.
He added that fluctuations in the exchange rate further increase the cost of imports, even when volumes remain unchanged.
Call for policy shift:
Stakeholders are calling for urgent government action to address the disconnect between rising imports and worsening hunger.
They recommend increased investment in local agriculture, particularly in the production of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes, alongside improved food fortification programmes and nutrition education.
Experts also urged the government to tackle structural bottlenecks by improving infrastructure, supporting mechanised farming, and providing subsidised inputs to farmers to reduce production costs.
Without decisive action, analysts warn that Nigeria’s reliance on food imports may continue to grow while millions remain unable to afford basic, nutritious meals.
