The Chairman, Board of Directors, Media Trust Group, Malam Kabiru A. Yusuf, yesterday raised concerns over the rising cost of food in Nigeria, saying that street foods are becoming inaccessible for many citizens.
He highlighted the growing disconnect between food availability and affordability, noting how staples such as fura da nono and tea with bread, once ubiquitous and affordable, are now becoming a luxury for many.
“Why are millions of our citizens not having enough food to eat? This is why we are here. The statistics in Nigeria paint a very grim picture, so does the anecdotal evidence.
“Look around you; you will see how things have changed. Things we used to take for granted are disappearing from our menu. Fura da nono, tea and bread and other street foods that we used to find everywhere and were affordable are now becoming difficult to get,” Yusuf said.
He acknowledged the efforts of farmers in producing food, citing a recent encounter with an onion farmer who proudly shared his ability to feed his family entirely from his produce.
However, Yusuf pointed out the paradox, saying while markets are stocked with food, a significant portion of the population struggles to afford even the basics.
He said, “Our markets in the villages or towns are full of food. There are foods in the market. As a farmer, I visit markets and see a lot of food. Our farmers are very busy, they are not struggling or working any less.
“I met a farmer recently and his story is quite different from what you expect. He had just returned from his onion farm when I met him.
He told me that he has never bought grains from the market. Everything he eats, he produces. I was surprised because we think that people in the villages are starving. This man said he had enough grains to feed his family.
“It’s a mixed story. We have hardworking farmers producing food. Yet, the statistics are saying there is food insecurity; that people are not feeding well. They are eating all sorts of things.”
Yusuf emphasised the need to address the gap between food production and affordability, urging stakeholders to find solutions that ensure every Nigerian can afford to eat nutritious meals.
He said, “We have to look at this situation. How do we cross this divide, if it exists, between availability and affordability? Is it that we are not producing enough food or people cannot afford them?” (Daily Trust)
