Feed the nation
Nigerians are currently starving more than they were in 2023
Happy pre-Friday, Big Brains. I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to be out of touch with the average Nigerian’s reality. Before I started cooking, I could barely relate to the rising prices of food items. It almost seemed like everybody else was exaggerating. I can imagine how out of touch Tinubu must be.
- Margaret
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Reading time ~3 mins
Let’s get into today’s edition:
31.8 million Nigerians hit hard by severe food insecurity
South African billionaire overtakes Dangote as Africa’s richest person
Nigeria receives Africa’s first batch of Mpox vaccine
The Big Deal
31.8 million Nigerians hit hard by severe food insecurity
Eating a three-square meal has become a luxury in Nigeria and there’s a new report that proves it. The report was created by global development partners, including the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the German development agency GIZ.
It shows that food insecurity in Nigeria is worsening. Between October to December 2023, the country had about 18.6 million people who were suffering from food insecurity. But that number has risen to 31.8 million people in 2024.
So far, the government’s response to the food crisis has mainly been “it will get better soon” and a plan to suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on certain essential food items imported through land and sea borders.
Why is this a big deal?
The reality is even more scary for 37-year old Ojo who works as a bus conductor in Lagos state.
“I can’t remember the last time I ate three times in a day. Even eating two times a day sef, it’s only when God allows it. Nothing is funny anymore.”
Like Ojo, Nigerians are growing more pessimistic with each passing day and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) July 2024 Household Expectations Survey confirms this. The survey, which gathered responses from 1,665 households across Nigeria, shows that people are becoming more worried about their financial future in Nigeria,
The survey also shows a drop in confidence about the economy’s chance of bouncing back. Many Nigerians expect things to get worse and are preparing to use their savings or go into debt to survive the rising cost of living
South African billionaire overtakes Dangote as Africa’s richest person
Nigerians and South Africans have bantered, caused huge distress for Bolt riders in both countries and matched each other’s freak, but South African billionaire Johann Rupert just took the beef to a whole different level by replacing Aliko Dangote as the richest man in Africa.
Mr. Rupert, the man behind luxury giant Richemont with brands like Cartier and Montblanc, has seen his net worth rise from $1.9 billion to $14.3 billion. This boost has moved him up to 147th place in the global wealth rankings, 12 spots ahead of Dangote.
Dangote’s wealth on the other hand has dropped by $1.7 billion this year, leaving him with $13.4 billion, according to Bloomberg.
His latest L shows the tough economic reality of every Nigerian. Since President Bola Tinubu took office last year, he's rolled out controversial economic reforms that have affected Nigerians terribly, especially scrapping fuel subsidies.
It’s safe to say that as a country, we’re all going through it.
Nigeria receives Africa’s first batch of Mpox vaccine
The only thing that Nigerians are going to be spreading in 2024 is rumours, not Mpox. Bad joke but we said that to say that Nigeria has now received 10,000 doses of vaccine to control the spread of the disease in the country.
If you’re wondering who we have to thank for this good news, its the people in the ministry of health had the foresight to request for the vaccine before Mpox was declared a global public health emergency.
The DR Congo, in central Africa, has reported over 18,000 suspected cases of mpox and 615 deaths this year but the country is yet to receive any vaccine because their request came in later than Nigeria’s.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Africa still needs 10 million doses, with DR Congo facing the greatest need. So far, the World Health Organisation is yet to provide a deadline but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for DR Congo.
This Week’s Big Question
“What’s one invention you wish existed today that could make your life easier or more fun?”
Chika’s response -“A personal reset button would be great. I need to go back to advice younger me to leave this country.”
You can also share your response here and if it’s as interesting as Chika’s response, we’ll feature it in the next edition.
The Big Picks
FG Meets With ASUU To Avert Planned Nationwide Strike: The Federal Government is in discussions with the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Interpol Arrests 300 Members Of Black Axe, Others: According to a post on the Interpol website, the International Criminal Police Organization has arrested over 300 individuals connected to Black Axe, one of West Africa’s most notorious criminal networks, along with other related groups.
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