The United States has warned that continued disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could worsen food insecurity in Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa by driving up energy costs and limiting access to fertiliser.
The warning was issued at a UN Security Council Open Debate on Food Insecurity in New York by Jennifer Locetta, Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs at the US Mission to the United Nations.
Locetta said the disruption of shipping through the strategic waterway was affecting the movement of a significant share of global oil and fertiliser supplies.
She warned that reduced access to fertiliser could affect agricultural production in several regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and parts of Southeast Asia.
Nigeria Among Countries at Risk
According to Locetta, lower agricultural output could result in reduced food supplies and higher prices in countries already facing severe food insecurity.
She specifically mentioned Nigeria, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) among countries that could be affected.
The US envoy also warned that higher fuel costs were putting additional pressure on humanitarian operations, particularly in conflict-affected areas.
She cited projections from the World Food Programme (WFP) indicating that millions more people could face acute food insecurity as the crisis continues.
Fertiliser Shortages Could Hit Nigerian Farmers
The warning comes as Nigeria continues to deal with high food prices and challenges affecting agricultural production.
Nigeria relies significantly on imported fertilisers and other agricultural inputs, making the country vulnerable to international supply disruptions and higher shipping and energy costs.
The country is already dealing with food inflation, insecurity affecting farming communities, high transportation costs and the impact of previous fuel subsidy reforms.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put food inflation at 22.22 per cent in July 2026, while the UN’s Cadre Harmonisé projected that more than 31 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity between June and August 2026 without urgent intervention.
The WFP and Food and Agriculture Organisation have also warned about the impact of expensive fertiliser and diesel on Nigerian farmers, with some smallholder farmers reportedly reducing cultivation or shifting towards crops requiring fewer inputs.
US Pledges Humanitarian Support
Locetta said the United States remained committed to addressing global hunger and supporting humanitarian efforts.
She disclosed that Washington had recently committed more than $1 billion to UNICEF and the WFP for humanitarian, nutrition and food security programmes.
The US is also exploring measures to address fertiliser shortages, she said.
Locetta stressed that the United States would continue supporting vulnerable populations affected by conflict and natural disasters.
Source: US Mission to the United Nations / UN Security Council.
