In 1983, Nigeria experienced a period of food rationing due to a shortage of food caused by a combination of factors, including drought, poor harvests, and a decline in oil revenues. The government at the time, led by President Shehu Shagari, instituted a system of food rationing to ensure that the limited food supply was distributed fairly.
Under the rationing system, each household was given a ration card that entitled them to a set amount of food each month, including rice, beans, sugar, and other basic staples. The government also established a network of distribution centers to ensure that the food was delivered to every part of the country.
The rationing system was met with mixed reactions from the Nigerian population. Some people welcomed the system as a means of ensuring that everyone had access to basic foodstuffs, while others criticized it as an inefficient and ineffective response to the food shortage.
The rationing system was ultimately short-lived, as it was ended after a military coup in December 1983. The coup brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power, and his government implemented a series of austerity measures to address the country’s economic challenges, including the food shortage.
Today, Nigeria remains a country with significant food security challenges, with millions of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition. However, the 1983 food rationing experience provides an example of how the government can take action to address food shortages in times of crisis.
