The Impact of the Current Food Crisis on the Nigerian Society

Abstract

Nigeria is currently experiencing a serious food crisis in its history. The crisis manifests itself in the inability of the nation to produce enough food to feed its population and the need to import food at exorbitant prices. Food shortage and hunger have resulted in the incidence of malnutrition and kwashiorkor among its citizens. Successive governments in Nigeria have however have failed to provide enough food to meet the needs of their citizens. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact of the current food crisis on the Nigerian society. Food problems have forced some Nigerians to engage in social vices, which are having a negative impact on the nation. These social vices include ethnic-religious conflicts, armed robbery, prostitution, child- trafficking, corruption, etc. A hungry man is an easy target for selfish members of the bourgeoisie who would buy their services for a price to foment anarchy within the society. From time immemorial inadequate nutrition has been linked to lawlessness. To discuss the above issues the paper is divided into the following sub-topics, the nature of food crisis, the causes of food crisis, impact of food crisis on the citizens, suggestions and conclusion. (Humanities Review Journal: 2002 2(2): 13-20)