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| Critics and opposition figures argue that the reforms have intensified short-term hardships due to the rising cost of living, limiting immediate aid to households. |
— ABUJA, Nigeria
Millions of Nigerians are facing one of the worst hunger crises the country has experienced in years as the lean season of 2026 approaches.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) projects that nearly 35 million people could face acute food insecurity between June and August, with the Northeast region being the hardest hit.
More than five million children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition, while around 15,000 people in Borno State face catastrophic, famine-like conditions the highest ranking in nearly a decade.
Ongoing conflict in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states continues to displace communities, destroy farmland, and block access to markets. Banditry and insecurity in the Northwest and North-Central regions have further hampered agricultural production.
Climate disasters, such as floods and erratic rainfall, coupled with rising fuel and agricultural input costs, have exacerbated the difficulties faced by smallholder farmers across the country. Economic reforms implemented by President Bola Tinubu, such as the elimination of fuel subsidies and currency unification, have contributed to macroeconomic improvements, including moderate inflation of around 15% and increased international reserves.
The government highlights agricultural initiatives and efforts to boost local production of staple foods as pathways to achieving long-term food security and reducing dependence on imports. However, critics and opposition figures argue that the reforms have intensified short-term hardships due to the rising cost of living, limiting immediate aid to households. Shortages in humanitarian funding have forced aid agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) to drastically reduce their operations, raising fears of further instability if urgent support is not secured.
International observers warn that without greater security, targeted social protection, and increased agricultural resilience, the crisis could worsen and spread to broader regional challenges in West Africa.