The March 2024 food and nutrition situation analysis indicates that almost 50 million people in the region, including 31.7 million in Nigeria, representing 16% of the population, are food insecure and need assistance to cover their basic food needs during the current lean period. In response, the decision-making body of the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve has availed 4,976.75 metric tons (MT) of cereals on technical rotation and 2,000 MT under the regional solidarity modality to support Nigeria's efforts in addressing this crisis.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) donated over 2,000 MT of cereals—comprising millet, sorghum, and white maize—from the Regional Food Security Reserve to the Government of Nigeria in Kano on Saturday, July 27th.
Additionally, ECOWAS handed over 4,976.75 tons of cereal to Nigeria as part of a technical rotation of stocks from the Regional Food Security Reserve. Stock rotation is a standard management procedure allowing ECOWAS to replace stocks stored for over two years with new ones to ensure they remain in good quality and fit for consumption.
Handing over approximately 7,000 MT to Dr. S.A. Haruna, Director of the Food and Strategic Reserve Department of Nigeria, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Prof Fatou Sow Sarr congratulated Nigeria's Federal Government for its efforts in mitigating the difficult food situation faced by vulnerable populations. “This expression of regional solidarity stands as ECOWAS contribution in support of the various efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria. This intervention contributes to strengthen the resilience of the populations affected by the difficult food and nutrition crisis,” she said.
Dr. Haruna expressed gratitude towards ECOWAS for its gesture towards Nigerians, particularly acknowledging the recent donation under regional solidarity modality. “In view of the importance and achievements of the Regional Food Security Reserve," he stated, "the Federal Government will continue to play an active role in sustaining and growing it and is committed to replenishing mobilized stock grain-for-grain at next harvest time.”
This intervention aligns with calls from an April 2024 RPCA meeting urging urgent action to assist more than 50 million people across West Africa during this lean period—with more than half residing in Nigeria. The ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve also plans similar support for Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone.
To date, Nigeria has benefited from about 10,129 MT from this reserve: 3,999 MT in 2020; 5,000 MT in 2019; and 1,130 MT in 2017.
Between 2017 and 2024,the Regional Reserve intervened nineteen times across six countries—Burkina Faso,Cabo Verde,Ghana,Mali,Niger,and Nigeria—distributing more than55 ,000tons .It granted Niger205 tonnes fortified floursin2021andis securing230 tonnesforNigeriafor pregnant womenandchildrenunder59 months .
ECOWAS acknowledges support from technicalandfinancial partners since2016,such asthe European Union,French Development Agency(AFD),Spanish Cooperation(AECID),andWorld Bank .
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