The United Nations has raised a grave alarm over Nigeria’s worsening food security situation, warning that as many as 35 million people could face acute hunger in 2026 if urgent funding gaps are not addressed. According to UN agencies, a sharp decline in global humanitarian funding has severely weakened food assistance programmes, particularly in northern Nigeria where conflict, displacement, inflation, and climate shocks intersect.
Children are among the worst affected. Millions are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition, with health facilities already overstretched and struggling to cope with rising admissions. The crisis is most pronounced in the conflict hit northeast, where years of insurgency have disrupted farming, trade, and access to basic services. UN officials note that soaring food prices, driven by inflation and insecurity, have further reduced household purchasing power.
Humanitarian agencies say they are being forced to make painful choices, scaling back rations and prioritising only the most vulnerable cases. Without renewed international support, officials warn that preventable deaths could rise sharply. The UN is urging donor governments to act quickly, stressing that early intervention is far cheaper and more effective than responding to full scale famine conditions later.
Nigeria’s government has acknowledged the scale of the challenge, pointing to ongoing agricultural and social protection programmes. However, aid groups argue that domestic efforts alone are insufficient given the magnitude of the crisis. They emphasise that sustained global solidarity is essential to prevent hunger from escalating into a humanitarian catastrophe.
