Perceived changes in food security, finances and revenue of rural and urban households during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria

ABSTRACT The Covid-19 pandemic has generated shocks that have affected the global economy. The study examined perceived changes in food security as well as finances and revenue of rural and urban households during Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Data were sourced from the National Longitudinal Phone Survey executed between April and June 2020 by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the World Bank. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test. Findings revealed 83 percent of urban households and 78 percent in rural were food insecure. About 83 percent of rural households and 79 percent of Urban perceived Covid-19 pandemic as a threat to household finances. Household finances dropped for 29.3 percent of urban and 31.5 percent of rural households while 30.5 percent of urban and 20.0 percent of rural households who operate family business had no revenue at all. The study concluded that the pandemic has worsened the food security situation of both rural and urban households and has also adversely affected rural and urban household finances. Given a new surge in the epidemic, the government should take cognizance of the disparities in the context in which the pandemic affects the rural and urban households in Nigeria.