THE POLITICS OF FOOD SECURITY IN NIGERIA AS A KEY DRIVER OF SOCIALCHANGE

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. This paper explores the politics of food security in Nigeria as a
key driver of social change. 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. 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