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The United Nations has raised alarm that about 35 million people in Nigeria could face acute hunger between June and August this year.
The warning was issued on Friday by the UN Humanitarian Country Team in New York City, which noted that the country is grappling with a deepening food crisis as the lean season approaches.
“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 UN stated.
According to the global body, Nigeria now ranks among the countries with the largest hunger crises globally, with the situation more severe in the northern regions.
The UN warned that delays in humanitarian assistance could worsen the situation, forcing millions of households to adopt negative coping strategies.
“If assistance is further delayed, millions of families will be forced to reduce meals further, sell assets, or withdraw their children from school with the long-term impact that we know it has,” it said.
It added that across North-West and North-East Nigeria, an estimated 6.4 million children are likely to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026.
The organisation also appealed for urgent financial support to scale up life-saving interventions, noting that funding remains insufficient.
The UN disclosed that the 516 million dollars Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2026 is currently just over 40 per cent funded, with only 215 million dollars received as of May.
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