Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is sliding toward one of the worst hunger crises in its modern history. According to warnings from the UN World Food Programme (WFP), nearly 35 million people could face acute food insecurity in the coming months. Behind this staggering figure lies a deadly convergence of conflict, displacement, climate stress and a dramatic collapse in international funding – a crisis that remains dangerously underreported. In Borno state, in northeastern Nigeria, the human cost is visible at first glance. Kilometer after kilometer, makeshift shelters stretch across dusty ground, built from wooden scraps and torn tarpaulins. These camps, run by the United Nations, receive new arrivals every day: families fleeing terrorist attacks, kidnappings and armed violence. Islamist groups such as Boko Haram continue to stage deadly assaults on civilians and the military alike. Just days ago, eight Nigerian soldiers were killed in one such attack, underlining how insecurity remains a daily reality.
For those who escape, survival does not come easily. Displaced families have abandoned their homes, farmland and livestock. Fields once used to grow maize, millet and sorghum now lie empty. As agriculture collapses, so does food availability. What began as a security crisis has steadily transformed into a hunger emergency.
Humanitarian organisations warn that children are paying the highest price. Save the Children describes the situation as a race against time. Duncan Harvey, the organisation’s country director in Nigeria, says the scale of child malnutrition has reached critical levels. Without urgent funding, he warns, life-saving food programmes could collapse within weeks. The consequences would be catastrophic, potentially scarring an entire generation through stunted growth, weakened immunity and lost education.
The WFP’s projections are alarming. In Borno alone, more than five million people could suffer acute malnutrition during the peak lean season between June and August, when food stocks are traditionally at their lowest. Nationwide, the number at risk rises to almost 35 million. These figures reflect not only conflict-driven displacement but also prolonged drought, rising food prices and Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, which intensifies pressure on already fragile systems. Yet even as needs soar, resources are shrinking. In 2024, the WFP received $181 million in funding for Nigeria – already insufficient to meet demand. In 2025, after the United States sharply reduced humanitarian aid under President Donald Trump and several donor countries, including Germany, followed suit, funding fell to just $95 million. This shortfall has pushed aid agencies to the brink.
The UN and its partners estimate that at least $516 million is urgently needed to provide the most basic assistance. Without it, food stocks will soon run dry. Aid workers quietly warn that by the end of March there may be nothing left to distribute. Staff cuts have already begun, and contingency plans are being prepared for a complete suspension of some programmes.
Security conditions further complicate the crisis. Delivering aid in northern Nigeria has become increasingly dangerous. Armed groups routinely attack convoys and raid camps. In some cases, terrorists have stormed UN facilities directly. Several humanitarian workers were killed last year, while others resigned after receiving threats. As a result, entire communities in parts of Borno state and northwestern Nigeria are effectively cut off from assistance.
“The security situation severely restricts humanitarian access,” says WFP programme manager Serigne Loum. “There are areas where we simply cannot operate safely, even though the needs there are among the greatest.” This creates a cruel paradox: those most in need are often the hardest to reach.
The dangers extend beyond immediate hunger. Aid agencies fear that desperation could drive more people into the arms of armed groups. For families with no food and no income, joining bandits or extremist organisations may appear to be the only way to survive. This, in turn, fuels further instability, reinforcing a vicious cycle of violence and deprivation. Nigeria’s crisis is emblematic of a broader global trend. Across Africa, hunger is rising as conflicts persist, climate shocks intensify and international attention shifts elsewhere. The reduction in US aid has had a particularly severe ripple effect, weakening the entire humanitarian system. When major donors withdraw or cut back, other countries often follow, leaving agencies unable to plan or sustain operations.
What makes Nigeria’s situation especially alarming is its scale. With more than 220 million people, the country’s instability reverberates far beyond its borders. A prolonged hunger crisis threatens not only millions of lives but also regional security, migration patterns and economic development across West Africa. Despite the bleak outlook, humanitarian organisations insist that catastrophe is not inevitable. With sufficient and sustained funding, food assistance, nutrition programmes and livelihood support could stabilise vulnerable communities. Improved security and access would allow farmers to return to their land, restoring local food production over time.
Comments