Population Compartments and Food Security in Nigeria

By: Onyinye Ifeoma Ochuba, Ebikabowei Biedomo Aduku

Pages: 41–60, Volume: 2, Number: 2

Published by: AEFUNAI Journal of Economics, Finance and Development Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, 9/1/2025, 2025

ISSN (Electronic): 2536-6742

DOI: 10.48028/iiprds/aefunaijefds.v2.i2.03

Population Compartments and Food Security in Nigeria

Abstract:

This study examines the relationship between population compartments and food security in Nigeria using quarterly time-series data, covering the period from 2003 to 2022. The population compartments considered were the infant population, the working-age population, and the retired-age population. Ford security, on the other hand, was measured by the average dietary energy adequacy and the prevalence of undernourishment. The data was analyzed using the Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) co- integration technique. It was found that the infant population and the retired age population have a negative and significant effect on the average dietary energy adequacy proxy for food availability and a positive and significant effect on the prevalence of undernourishment proxy for food accessibility, both in the long run and short run. It was also found that both in the long run and short run, the working-age population has a positive and significant effect on the average dietary energy adequacy and a negative and significant effect on the prevalence of undernourishment. Nigeria should focus on investing significantly in family planning and enhancing productive health, which could cut down the fertility level. And, with more commitment to ensuring child survival and broad implementation of universal health coverage, the working-age population will increase relative to the other population compartments considered in this study. Also, the working-age population and the retired-age population should be encouraged to go into agriculture. This can be achieved through rigorous sensitization on the relevance of agriculture and providing the enabling environment to support the growth of agriculture in the country.

Keywords: Population dynamics, Food security, Agricultural productivity, Malthusian theory, Nigeria