The United Nations has raised a fresh alarm over Nigeria’s worsening food security situation, warning that an estimated 35 million Nigerians could face severe hunger in 2026 if urgent interventions are not implemented.
According to the UN, a combination of soaring inflation, prolonged insecurity, climate-related disruptions, and economic hardship is pushing millions of households closer to acute food shortages. The report highlights that food prices across Nigeria continue to rise faster than incomes, leaving vulnerable families unable to afford basic nutrition.
The UN noted that conflict in parts of the North-East and North-West has displaced millions of people, disrupted farming activities, and restricted access to farmlands, significantly reducing food production. In addition, climate shocks such as flooding and prolonged dry spells have further weakened agricultural output, worsening supply gaps across the country.
Economic pressures, including the high cost of transportation, fuel price increases, and currency instability, were also identified as major contributors to the looming hunger crisis. These factors have driven up the cost of food distribution, making staples increasingly unaffordable for low-income households.
Humanitarian agencies warned that children, pregnant women, and internally displaced persons are among the most at risk, with malnutrition expected to rise sharply if conditions persist. The UN urged the Nigerian government, international partners, and development agencies to scale up food assistance, strengthen social protection programmes, and invest in climate-resilient agriculture to avert a full-blown humanitarian emergency.
The organisation stressed that early action is critical, noting that without sustained policy responses and increased humanitarian funding, millions of Nigerians could slide into extreme hunger by 2026.
Post a Comment