POLITICS OF FOOD SECURITY AND SOCIAL CHANGE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Food security in Nigeria has become a precarious political and social issue,
interwoven with socioeconomic inequalities and political decisions. The politics of food
security in Nigeria directly impacts social change, influencing everything from rural
livelihoods to national stability. This paper explores the complicated relationship between
food security and social change, focusing on how political influences shape food
accessibility, distribution, and consumption patterns. With over 70% of the population living
in food insecurity, the role of political instability, government policies, and economic
challenges cannot be overlooked. Additionally, malnutrition remains prevalent, particularly in
vulnerable groups such as children and internally displaced persons (IDPs), exacerbated by
inefficient governance and inadequate agricultural policies. The paper examines how political
elites use food security as a tool for political leverage, resulting in a fragmented approach to
addressing the underlying causes of hunger. The paper applies theoretical lenses such as
Political Economy and Social Change Theory to explore these dynamics in detail. Using a
historical and contemporary analysis of Nigerian agriculture, government policy, and
international relations, this paper discusses the need for sustainable policies that bridge the
gap between food production, distribution, and consumption, alongside the role of
government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international bodies in
mitigating this crisis. The study concludes that unless food security is treated as a national
priority, social inequalities and poverty will continue to rise, preventing the achievement of
social change in Nigeria.