Specifics knowledge links between COVID-19 and urban food systems in Nigeria

ABSTRACT COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant adverse impacts, in all ramifications, to the Nigerian society, especially in worsening the hunger situation resulting from the distortion of the urban food system. It has inhibited food choices and access for urban residents due to restrictions imposed on movement and human interactions. In Nigeria, the majority is in the informal economy who depend on the daily income for everyday needs, including food. This study, therefore, establishes specific knowledge links between COVID-19 and the urban food system. Also, it reviewed the impacts of adopted safety protocols and government policies during the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian urban food supply system vis-a-vis state and non-state interventions to provide palliatives for the urban poor and vulnerable groups. The paper concluded that Nigeria has not adequately built a resilient strategy for eventualities, such as the COVID-19 emergency. Also, all measures instituted at different levels of government towards strengthening the urban food system during the pandemic were grossly inadequate as they could barely serve a fraction of the urban vulnerable. Therefore, the paper suggests a holistic policy review towards promoting resilience in the urban food system to withstand future emergencies.