WFP: 11 Million People in Six Northern Nigeria States Facing Acute Food Insecurity

A situation report by the World Food Programme (WFP) has revealed that millions of Nigerians continue to face hunger and malnutrition despite the passage of the Right to Food Act in 2023, which mandates the government to ensure food security.

According to the report, 11 million people across six states in northeast and northwest Nigeria are experiencing acute food insecurity in 2025, with the situation particularly dire in Northern Nigeria due to insecurity, poor policy implementation, and economic challenges.

The report also highlighted that one in three Nigerian children under five—approximately 11 million—are suffering from severe food poverty, making them 50% more likely to face life-threatening conditions.

Key drivers of child food poverty were identified as inadequate nutrition, aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods, and economic hardships.

In 2024 alone, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated over 300,000 children for malnutrition, marking a 25% increase from 2023.

Of these cases, 75,000 required critical inpatient care, while 250,000 were managed through outpatient programs across seven states: Borno, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.

MSF Nigeria representative, Dr Simba Tirima said: “Without an adequate supply of therapeutic foods, we will struggle to effectively treat malnourished children, which could lead to preventable fatalities.”

MSF stated that it had started stockpiling supplies ahead of the peak malnutrition season, particularly in Bauchi State, where it runs a 250-bed inpatient facility and three outpatient feeding centers.

The organization also expressed concern that reduced funding for other humanitarian agencies could place additional strain on its response capacity.

Tirima further explained, “Authorities and partners must take greater action to address the malnutrition crisis.”