An Overview of Nigerian Government Policies on Combating Poverty and Food Insecurity in North East, Nigeria

Abstract

Poverty and food insecurity are closely linked, and they form a vicious circle that requires a wide range of discourse and expositions. The concepts that have a significant influence on low-income groups in society, especially in terms of conflicts, national phenomena such as floods, storms, draught, insurgency, and banditry, as witnessed in the North East, Nigeria in states such as the Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. The federal government, state governments, and non-governmental organizations have engaged in a series of humanitarian assistance activities, especially in areas of food security, poverty eradication, and accommodation for vulnerable citizens in the North East. Poverty and hunger have been identified as endemic and can affect individual progress and national development. Therefore, this paper attempts to provide an overview of Nigerian government policies in combating poverty and food insecurity, focusing on BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe) in North East, Nigeria. In this regard, the government and NGOs have adopted explicit agricultural, social, and economic policies and programs meant to combat poverty and hunger in Nigeria. The research adopted a qualitative method of data collection, secondary sources of data, and personal observation. The study also identified that the Northeast is one of the regions suffering from food insecurity and poverty amidst the fuel hike, and a high rate of inflation increases the prices of goods and services and depreciation of the naira. The study recommends among others that, there are need to provide an enabling environment for farmers and create job opportunities through agricultural support, skill acquisitions and emergency food assistance and ensure stable Exchange rate of the national currency, the naira should be strengthened and stabilized. Finally, the Nigerian government must start producing the fuel it consumes domestically, support indigenous refineries, and effectively coordinate with various stakeholders to achieve maximum results.