Health

Two-Thirds Households In Nigeria Lack Money For Healthy Food — NBS Survey

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2024

645 Views

A survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the harsh realities faced by Nigerian households, with two-thirds struggling to afford healthy and nutritious meals due to financial constraints. The report, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), sheds light on the deepening multidimensional poverty and the impact of diminishing purchasing power caused by rising prices of goods and services.

Food Insecurity

The report reveals widespread food insecurity, with 66.7% of households unable to eat nutritious or preferred foods in the past month due to a lack of money. Other findings include:

63.8% of households consuming limited types of food.
62.4% expressing worry about insufficient food supplies.
60.5% eating less than they felt necessary.

The survey also notes a significant increase in food insecurity over time. Between Waves 4 and 5, the proportion of households worried about inadequate food rose from 36.9% to 62.4%.

Energy Access and Power Blackouts

Access to electricity varies significantly between urban and rural areas, with 82.2% of urban households connected to the power grid compared to just 40.4% in rural areas. However, households face an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week.

Traditional cooking methods dominate, with 65.0% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on wood as fuel. Despite this, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is steadily increasing.

Basic Infrastructure and Sanitation

The survey highlights significant gaps in basic infrastructure:

Many households lack proper toilet facilities and rely on informal waste disposal methods, with 45.6% dumping waste in bushes or streets.
Tube wells or boreholes are the primary sources of drinking water for many households.

Asset Ownership and Housing

Asset ownership has declined since 2018/19. Key findings include:

66.7% of households owning mobile phones, while 21.3% have internet access.
70.4% of households own their homes, with rural ownership higher at 80.1% compared to 49.1% in urban areas.

Implications

The survey underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to address poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate infrastructure in Nigeria. Rising inflation, coupled with inconsistent access to energy and basic amenities, continues to erode the quality of life for millions of Nigerians.

Health

Ebola: President Tinubu approves N10bn to strengthen NCDC preparedness

This follows the rapidly expanding outbreak that has already killed at least 349 people across the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the World Health Organisation declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Published

5 days ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

62 Views

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate release of N10 billion to strengthen the operational preparedness of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and prevention and support critical national public health emergency response activities.

The President also established a Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Control.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the task force would be chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, with membership drawn from relevant ministries, departments and agencies .

The task force was constituted following a stakeholder meeting convened by Gbajabiamila to review Nigeria’s preparedness.

It was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Interior, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Lagos State Government, among others.

Health

Senate passes bill to establish Malaria Elimination Agency

The bill, sponsored by Ned Nwoko, scaled third reading on Wednesday after the Senate considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Ipalibo Banigo.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 4, 2026

OCHEFA

98 Views

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish a National Agency for Malaria Elimination saddled with the responsibility of preventing, controlling and ultimately eliminating malaria in Nigeria.

The bill, sponsored by Ned Nwoko, scaled third reading on Wednesday after the Senate considered and adopted the report of its Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), chaired by Ipalibo Banigo.

Presenting the report on behalf of Banigo, Sampson Ekong said the proposed agency would serve as the central body responsible for coordinating national efforts aimed at preventing, controlling and ultimately eliminating malaria in Nigeria.

The Senate said the agency seeks to mark a shift in the country’s approach to malaria management from treatment-focused interventions to preventive and elimination strategies.

“The agency, when established, will help shift the country’s approach from curative measures to prevention and eventual elimination of malaria,” it stated.

(Source: The SUN)

Health

Cross River restores molecular laboratoy for TB, HIV, Mpox testing

This place is arranged to address issues of TB, HIV and other outbreaks. Mpox, Lassa fever and even Ebola-related surveillance can be handled here. Most of the essential services have now been restored,” he said.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 3, 2026

OCHEFA

94 Views

Photo : Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State

The Cross River State Government has announced that the molecular laboratory services at Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital now conducts molecular testing for tuberculosis, HIV and Mpox while retaining the capacity to support surveillance and response efforts for emerging public health threats..

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the hospital alongside journalists in Calabar.

Ayuk said that the molecular laboratory, which serves as one of the state’s key public health surveillance centres, has resumed most of its essential functions following rehabilitation efforts supported by the state government and development partners.

“This place is arranged to address issues of TB, HIV and other outbreaks. Mpox, Lassa fever and even Ebola-related surveillance can be handled here. Most of the essential services have now been restored,” he said.

The commissioner explained that although the facility suffered extensive damage during the EndSARS unrest, significant progress has been made in rebuilding critical infrastructure and restoring laboratory operations.