The international financial institution, World Bank has said the worst is yet to be seen as regards hunger in Nigeria as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten food security in the country.
In a new report titled, COVID-19 in Nigeria: Frontline Data and Pathways for Policy, the bank explained that COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on livelihoods and welfare in the country.
The bank said, “already faced complex development challenges, the pandemic continues to affect health outcomes, human-capital accumulation, household poverty and coping strategies, and labor-market dynamics.”
“The consequences of the COVID-19 crisis for human capital, livelihoods, and welfare are proving to be severe”, it added.
The World Bank further explained that although business and various sectors have reopened the adverse effects of the pandemic put Nigerian households at risk of poverty.
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“While many schools have reopened across Nigeria, learning that was lost during the COVID-19 crisis still needs to be recouped and some children have not returned to school. Even though many Nigerians have returned to work, the jobs to which they have shifted – mainly in small-scale non-farm enterprises – may not offer income security, making it difficult for households to escape poverty.
“With the COVID-19 crisis ushering in associated shocks – especially to food prices – and social protection remaining rare, households’ food security and their welfare at large is under serious threat”, World Bank added.
