Veritatis Gaudium: Multidisciplinary Journal of Postgraduate Studies

The COVID‑19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in global and local food systems, with severe implications for food security in developing countries such as Nigeria. This study applies the Food Systems Theory (FST) to examine the pandemic’s impact on food security in Nasarawa State between 2019 and 2023. A retrospective survey design was employed, with a sample size of 400 respondents determined using the Yamane formula. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), complemented by secondary sources such as journal articles, policy documents, and academic publications. Results: Findings reveal significant disruptions in food production, distribution, and access, with gender disparities evident in household coping strategies. Government-imposed lockdowns and movement restrictions hindered agricultural activities and food trade, leading to sharp increases in food prices and reduced household incomes. Policy responses were largely ineffective due to weak digital infrastructure, inadequate social welfare systems, poor health facilities, limited telecommunications access, corruption, and poor implementation. Rising crime rates during the lockdown further exacerbated socio-economic vulnerabilities. The study underscores the retrospective bias inherent in post‑event data collection and highlights the urgent need for resilient food systems in Nigeria. It recommends measures to stabilize food prices, establish accessible palliative distribution centers in both urban and rural areas, and develop a comprehensive national database with social security identification to enhance policy targeting in future crises.

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