Dray
In a striking revelation of Nigeria’s deepening poverty crisis, a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights the harsh reality many households face today. The report, titled “Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024),” paints a sobering picture of food insecurity, energy challenges, and declining asset ownership across the country.
Food Insecurity at a Record High
According to the NBS survey, two-thirds of Nigerian households are unable to afford healthy, nutritious food due to a lack of money. In the last 30 days alone:
●63.8% of households ate only a limited variety of food.
●62.4% were worried about not having enough to eat.
●60.5% ate less than they believed they should.
This marks a drastic increase in food insecurity when compared to Wave 4 (2018/19), where 36.9% of households expressed concern about food availability.
Energy and Infrastructure Woes
Energy access remains a major issue in Nigeria:
82.2% of urban households have electricity, compared to just 40.4% in rural areas.
On average, households face 6.7 power blackouts weekly, disrupting daily life and economic productivity.Most households still depend on traditional cooking methods, with 65% using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on wood as fuel. While the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is on the rise, the lack of infrastructure remains a barrier.
Basic Needs and Asset Ownership
The survey further reveals that many households struggle with basic necessities:
Waste disposal remains largely informal, with 45.6% resorting to bushes or streets.
A significant proportion lacks access to proper toilet facilities and clean drinking water, relying on tube wells or boreholes.
Asset ownership has also declined since 2018/19, although two-thirds of households own mobile phones, and 21.3% have internet access. However, housing ownership remains relatively high at 70.4% nationally, with 80.1%in rural areas and 49.1% in urban regions.
This report underscores the urgent need for interventions to improve living conditions, promote food security, and ensure sustainable energy access in Nigeria.
Without immediate action, the country risks further exacerbating its multidimensional poverty crisis.We must prioritize solutions to address these challenges. Share this article to raise awareness, demand policy changes, and help build a better future for every Nigerian. Let’s make sure no household goes hungry or lives in darkness.
Comments
Loading…