Northeastern Nigeria

A record near-35 million Nigerians are facing food insecurity, driven by conflict, climate shocks, displacement and the systemic collapse of local food systems.

Escalating insurgent attacks are fuelling the unprecedented hunger crisis, driving mass displacement, collapsing livelihoods and creating fertile ground for armed group recruitment.

The northeast – particularly Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states – remains the epicentre of the crisis, with nearly 6 million people facing severe food insecurity in 2026. This includes 15,000 people in Borno State who are expected to face catastrophic hunger and famine-like conditions.

Children are at greatest risk across Borno, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, where malnutrition rates are highest.

It comes just as the stabilizing lifeline of food assistance risks disappearing entirely due to lack of funding.

A total of 150 World Food Programme (WFP)-supported nutrition clinics in Borno and Yobe states – home to some of the highest levels of hunger and malnutrition – have shut down, leaving 300,000 children at risk of wasting (low weight for height). In areas where clinics closed, malnutrition levels deteriorated from “serious” to “critical” in the third quarter of 2025.

Despite soaring needs, WFP will run out of resources for emergency food and nutrition assistance in December 2025. Without urgent funding, millions will be left without vital support, risking more instability and further deepening a severe hunger crisis.

WFP needs US$80.4 million for operations until March 2026.