A report by the World Bank yesterday declared that the COVID-19 has continued to threaten food security in Nigeria, as households and firms were yet to recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic.
The bank therefore called on governments at all tiers to take up urgent policy actions to prevent the long-run I’mfects of the pandemic on the lives and careers in the country.
The report titled ‘COVID-19 in Nigeria: Frontline Data and Pathways for Policy’, stated that the pandemic had caused health and economic shocks on countries whose effects would be felt far into the future.
The institution noted that in countries such as Nigeria, the pandemic has continued to affect health outcomes, human-capital accumulation, household poverty and coping strategies, as well as labour-market dynamics.
The report showed both the extent of such impacts on Nigerians and promising policy alternatives that could accelerate the nation’s recovery.
“The COVID-19 crisis has provided a wake-up call to address the long-standing structural challenges that could constrain the government’s ambition to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty,” World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri said.
“There is no time like the present for the country to prepare for future climate and conflict shocks and seize the promise of its young population to lay strong foundations for inclusive growth.
“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,” it added.
The findings underscored the urgency of far-reaching reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s economy and development outcomes.
