10 Gombe LGs face severe food security issues — Survey

Gombe State, Nigeria, faces significant challenges with food security and child poverty, according to the 2024/2025 Gombe State General Household Survey and Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. The report highlights that at least 10 Local Government Areas are grappling with severe food insecurity, a finding that has raised serious concerns.

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10 LGAs have severe food security issues, which is a great cause of concern and should be looked into critically.

Alhaji Ibrahim Dule, Statistician-General of Gombe State, presented the survey findings during a workshop for local council officials. The exercise, a collaboration between the Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and UNICEF, aims to reduce multidimensional poverty among children. The survey also provided insights into access to basic amenities, showing that 65% of households have drinking water, 51.5% have improved sanitation, and 50.5% have electricity. However, these figures show a stark urban-rural divide, with rural areas lagging significantly behind.

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According to the data collected by the household survey, seven out of 10 children are suffering from some form of multidimensional poverty.

UNICEF's Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Nuzhat Rafique, expressed alarm over the high rate of child poverty, stating that seven out of every 10 children in the state experience some form of multidimensional poverty. She emphasized that tackling this issue is crucial for the state's and Nigeria's overall development. UNICEF is actively supporting Gombe State by expanding social protection programs, enhancing healthcare access, and providing training for local government officials to combat child poverty effectively. Specific areas like Dukku, Balanga, and Nafada were identified as having high levels of deprivation.

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This is a high level of multidimensional poverty that we see in Gombe and other states as well.