Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that Nigeria is heading toward one of its worst hunger crises in history, with nearly 35 million people projected to face severe food insecurity by 2026.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the World Food Programme (WFP) said the latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis shows an alarming rise in the number of Nigerians who could struggle to access food during the 2026 lean season. This marks the highest figure ever recorded for the country.
According to the UN agency, escalating insurgency across northern Nigeria is “pushing hunger to unprecedented levels and threatening regional stability.” Communities in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, Katsina and Sokoto continue to bear the brunt of violent attacks that make farming increasingly dangerous.
The lean season—stretching from June to August—is typically the toughest period for rural households, as food stocks run out, prices rise, and families face months of scarcity. But insecurity has made the situation far worse. Farmers cannot plant, tend or harvest crops without risking their lives, leaving vast farmlands abandoned.
The WFP noted that attacks by armed groups surged significantly in 2025. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, reportedly launched its first attack in Nigeria last month, while Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) continues to strengthen its hold across the Sahel region.
Experts warn that without urgent action, Nigeria could face a devastating hunger crisis that may spill over into neighbouring countries and worsen regional instability.
The UN’s latest alert is a call for the government and international partners to scale up humanitarian assistance, restore security in rural communities, and invest heavily in rebuilding the country’s food systems before the crisis deepens further.
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