The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stern warning regarding a potential food crisis in northern Nigeria. Without significant intervention from the government, millions in the region face acute food insecurity due to escalating violence and a lack of humanitarian funding.
The agency highlights that the situation has worsened more rapidly than anticipated. Renewed attacks have displaced communities and prevented aid workers from reaching those in need. In nine conflict-impacted states, over 17 million people are currently experiencing critical levels of hunger. Borno State is the most severely affected, with more than three million individuals facing acute food insecurity.
Kinday Samba, the WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa, noted that the geographical expansion of insecurity is a primary driver of this emergency. Insurgent activity, once contained in the Northeast, is now spreading, forcing farmers off their land and disrupting relief supply chains. Because of these dangers, many routes are now only accessible via air transport.
The WFP currently faces an $89 million funding shortfall for the next six months. Consequently, the organization can only assist a fraction of the 6.2 million food-insecure individuals in the Northeast. This gap has led to desperate outcomes, including reports of displaced individuals joining armed groups simply to survive. Furthermore, the suspension of food aid in certain camps has coincided with an increase in exploitation and gender-based violence.
Public response has been critical of the government’s inability to secure rural areas. Experts like Dr. Pogu Bitrus of the Middle Belt Forum and analyst James Adedayo argue that the government must prioritize ending banditry and insurgency to allow farmers to return to their fields. They emphasize that Nigeria possesses the agricultural potential to feed its people, but security failures and economic mismanagement continue to hinder progress. Critics urge the administration to provide both financial support for aid agencies and the necessary security to ensure that food assistance reaches the most vulnerable populations.