ABSTRACT
Nigeria has been battling myriads of socio-economic crises in recent times. A country that is so blessed with both human and natural resources should not be seen or heard battling with issues of economy, food, poverty, unemployment, inflation and terrorism-related crises. More recently, there has been a persistent geometric increase in food prices to the extent that an average Nigerian cannot afford a good meal to eat in a day. In the same vein, the country has been battling myriads of insecurity ranging from Boko Haram to banditry to farmer-herder crises. While studies have shown that there could be a link between insecurity and food security, little attention has been paid to the impact of insecurity on the rising food prices in Nigeria. The study therefore examined this phenomenon suing Ovia North East LGA as a case study. The study randomly selected 400 respondents from four purposively selected wards: Uhiere, Oluku, Adollor and Oduna. A structured questionnaire was the instrument utilized to elicit responses from the selected respondents. The study utilized structural functionalism to argue for the place of weak institutions as the cause of both insecurity and food inflation in Nigeria. It is not in doubt that strong institutions are responsible for effective policy making that can translate to development. The study made the following findings. First, the lingering insecurity has impacted food availability in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Second, the study found that insecurity has an impact on food access in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Third, the study found that insecurity has an impact on food utilization/consumption in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Last, the study found that insecurity has an impact on food stability in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The study therefore recommends the following. First, government should collaborate sincerely with traditional rulers, state and local government administrators, civil society groups, the media, political parties, vigilante groups, hunters and youths to tackle insecurity in Nigeria. Second, it is important that the government continues to boost the morale of the security agents fighting these attackers. Third, government can set up a special ranching in all the zones of the country where cows can feed without necessarily straying to farmlands. Last, it is imperative for the government to monitor price increase in the markets. Nigeria is notorious for taking advantage of any situation to inflate process of goods.
