United Nations has warned that about 35 million Nigerians may face acute food insecurity between June and August as the country grapples with a worsening hunger crisis.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a report released on Friday, the UN humanitarian country team said Nigeria is heading into one of its most severe food crises, with millions expected to struggle to access adequate food during the lean season.
“Nearly one in seven people, that is 35 million people nationwide in Nigeria, are likely to face acute food insecurity during this year’s lean season, which runs from June to August,” the report stated.
According to the UN, the crisis is expected to hit northern Nigeria the hardest, particularly states in the north-east and north-west already affected by insecurity, displacement, inflation and poor access to farmlands.
The organisation also warned that about 6.4 million children in the affected regions could suffer acute malnutrition this year if urgent humanitarian assistance is not provided.
The UN said delayed humanitarian support could force struggling families to adopt desperate survival measures, including reducing meals, selling assets and withdrawing children from school.
“Our partners and we are appealing for urgent funding to scale up life-saving assistance,” the global body said, adding that its 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan remains underfunded.
According to the report, only about $215 million has been received out of the $516 million needed for humanitarian operations in Nigeria this year.
The warning comes amid rising food prices, persistent insecurity in farming communities and economic hardship across the country.
