35 Million Nigerians at Risk of Hunger in 2026, Warns United Nations
Abuja, Nigeria — The United Nations has issued a stark warning that nearly 35 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger in 2026, a number that marks one of the most severe food security challenges the country has faced in recent memory.
UN officials and humanitarian partners highlighted the crisis during the launch of the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, emphasising that reduced global aid, ongoing conflict, climate shocks and rising displacement have combined to push millions closer to acute food insecurity. The situation is described as particularly dire for children and communities in conflict-affected areas such as Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, where prolonged violence has disrupted agriculture, markets and local livelihoods.
According to the United Nations, nearly 35 million Nigerians could experience severe hunger this year, including an estimated 3 million children suffering from or at risk of severe malnutrition. Humanitarian resources have been severely stretched after a collapse in global aid funding, limiting the ability of agencies to provide life-saving food support at scale.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall explained that the historically dominant foreign-led aid model is no longer sustainable, and that demand for assistance has risen dramatically against a backdrop of diminishing resources. Efforts this year are expected to reach only a fraction of those in need — with current funding insufficient to meet the scale of the projected crisis.
The hunger risk is not uniform across the country. The northeast, long affected by insurgency and communal violence, continues to record the highest levels of food insecurity. Conflict has displaced millions of people, destroyed crops and hindered farmers’ access to land, contributing to sharp reductions in local food production and rising prices.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that without immediate funding, emergency food assistance will be sharply curtailed, reducing support to vulnerable populations in critical regions. In some areas, food stocks vital for humanitarian response are projected to run dangerously low, leaving millions without reliable access to sustenance.
Children are among the most vulnerable groups in the looming crisis. The UN has highlighted that millions of youngsters face elevated risk of acute malnutrition and its long-term health consequences. Malnutrition affects cognitive development and increases vulnerability to disease, meaning the food crisis could have lasting effects on the country’s youth and future workforce.
In response, the Nigerian government and civil society partners have pledged to increase domestic efforts to mitigate the worst impacts of the looming hunger crisis. Initiatives include expanding seasonal food support and investing in early warning systems to help communities prepare for lean periods. However, officials acknowledge that without renewed international support and greater funding, efforts may fall short of addressing the full scale of need.
Humanitarian organisations have underscored the urgency of mobilising new funding streams and strengthening coordinated action to avert catastrophe. They have urged donors, governments and private actors to step up support as part of a broader strategy to address both immediate hunger relief and long-term food security solutions.
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