The United Nations has raised a grave alarm over Nigeria’s food security situation, warning that an estimated 35 million people could face hunger in 2026 as global humanitarian funding continues to decline. Among those most at risk are about three million children, whose survival and development are threatened by worsening food shortages, malnutrition, and limited access to basic services. The warning underscores the growing humanitarian crisis in Africa’s most populous country, particularly in regions already weakened by years of conflict and economic strain.
According to the UN, the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe are likely to bear the brunt of the crisis. These states have been at the center of prolonged insurgency and instability, which have displaced millions of people, disrupted farming activities, and destroyed livelihoods. Many communities in these areas depend heavily on humanitarian assistance for food, healthcare, and nutrition support. With funding cuts now affecting aid operations, millions of vulnerable households risk being pushed further into extreme hunger.
Global humanitarian agencies have been struggling with reduced financial support as donor countries grapple with their own economic pressures and competing international crises. As a result, food aid programs that once provided life-saving assistance are being scaled back or suspended altogether.
The UN warns that without urgent new funding, food rations will be reduced, nutrition programs for children and pregnant women will be halted, and emergency support for displaced families will shrink significantly.
Children are expected to suffer the most severe consequences. Malnutrition rates in northeastern Nigeria are already among the highest in the country, and reduced access to nutritious food could lead to increased cases of stunting, wasting, and preventable deaths.
The UN has cautioned that prolonged hunger during early childhood can cause irreversible physical and cognitive damage, affecting not just individual lives but Nigeria’s long-term human capital and economic future.
Beyond the northeast, rising food insecurity is spreading across other parts of Nigeria. Inflation, high food prices, climate-related shocks such as floods and droughts, and insecurity in farming communities have made it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic meals. Many households now rely on one meal a day or skip meals entirely, while others resort to selling assets or withdrawing children from school in order to cope.
The hunger risk also has broader implications for national stability. Food insecurity often fuels social tension, increases competition over scarce resources, and can worsen insecurity, creating a dangerous cycle that is difficult to break. Analysts warn that if millions of Nigerians are left without adequate food, the resulting humanitarian stress could further strain government institutions and local communities already under pressure.
The UN has called on the international community to urgently increase funding for Nigeria’s humanitarian response. It has also urged the Nigerian government to strengthen social safety nets, invest in agriculture, and improve access to food for the most vulnerable populations. Long-term solutions, experts say, must include restoring security in farming areas, supporting climate-resilient agriculture, and creating economic opportunities that reduce dependence on aid.
As 2026 unfolds, the UN’s warning serves as a stark reminder that hunger remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges. Without swift action from both global partners and national authorities, millions of lives particularly those of children could be placed at serious risk. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Nigeria can avert a deepening food crisis or face one of the most severe hunger emergencies in its recent history.
