THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FOOD SAFETY NET PROGRAMMES AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA
- Chuks O. Idiaye and Precious O. Afolabi
- ( paper pages. 69-96 )
Abstract
The study examines the
impact of COVID-19 on household food security and the role of food safety net
programmes, using primary data from 120 households in Ibadan, Oyo State,
Nigeria. Household food security status was measured using the Household
Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS). Descriptive and comparative analyses were used
to examine changes in food security and coping strategies before and during the
pandemic. A probit regression model was used to identify determinants of food
security. The Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA) method
was employed to estimate the impact of COVID-19, proxied by job loss. Results
show increased reliance on less-preferred, cheaper foods, reduced meal sizes
and frequency, and food borrowing as coping mechanisms employed by households. The
incidence of food insecurity increased by 17% between 2019 and 2020. Education,
marital status, and the number of income earners were positively associated
with food security. In contrast, age, household size, and male-headed
households were found to be negatively associated. Only 34.17% of households
accessed food safety net programmes, with no significant effect on food
security. IPWRA results indicate that the pandemic caused a 21% decline in
household food security. The study recommends
improved access to quality education, skills training, and more effective
government food safety net programmes.
Citation
Chuks O. Idiaye and Precious O. Afolabi.
2026.
"THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, FOOD SAFETY NET PROGRAMMES AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN OYO STATE, NIGERIA"
The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies,
68 (1): 69-96.
