A recent report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has revealed that more than 34.7 million Nigerians could experience acute food insecurity by mid-2026 if urgent action is not taken.
The warning comes from the October 2025 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Food and Nutrition Insecurity Analysis, jointly released by the FAO and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).
The assessment, which covers 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), reveals that food insecurity remains at crisis levels, affecting millions of households, including more than 650,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
At the report’s presentation in Abuja, Marcus O. Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the FMAFS, described the findings as “a wake-up call for coordinated and sustained action.”
“He said, “The data tells us where hunger is deepening, where nutrition outcomes are deteriorating, and where interventions are most urgently needed.”
According to the report, 27.2 million Nigerians are already facing crisis-level (CH Phase 3) or worse food insecurity, with the number projected to rise to 34.7 million between June and August 2026, coinciding with the country’s lean season.
In Adamawa State alone, about 1.4 million people could face crisis or emergency conditions.
The FAO attributes the worsening situation to persistent insecurity, high inflation, poor market access, and climate shocks.
While inflation has slightly eased, the cost of essential foods such as oils, dairy, and condiments remains 35% above average, while fertiliser and agrochemical prices have surged by 56%, discouraging dry-season farming.
“These data and analyses are indispensable for anticipating emerging food security challenges, guiding resource allocation, and ensuring timely interventions to protect vulnerable populations,” Ogunbiyi noted.
He explained that the findings would inform key government interventions such as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) and the National Food Security and Nutrition Emergency Plan, both aimed at supporting farmers and vulnerable households.
He assured that the ministry remains steadfast in building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food system that guarantees access to safe and nutritious food for all Nigerians.
The FAO report also highlights worsening nutrition outcomes, ranging from Alert (Phase 2) to Critical (Phase 4) in parts of the Northwest, Northeast, and North Central regions.
States such as Borno and Yobe recorded the highest levels of acute malnutrition, particularly in Maiduguri, Jere, Mobbar, and Central Borno, while areas in Katsina State, including Jibia and Mashi, crossed into critical thresholds.
FAO Country Representative Hussein Gadain commended Nigeria for marking ten years of Cadre Harmonisé implementation, noting that Ekiti State joined for the first time, bringing the total to 27 participating states.
He urged more states to adopt the framework, emphasising that “conflict, economic pressures, and climate extremes continue to undermine livelihoods,” and called for stronger policy responses and resilience strategies to protect farmers and households.
Ogunbiyi further appreciated the National Cadre Harmonisé Technical Committee and development partners, including the FAO, World Food Programme (WFP), Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), Save the Children, and UNICEF, for their continued technical and financial support.
He stated that Nigeria remains a regional leader in data-driven early warning systems within the ECOWAS framework and that the Cadre Harmonisé outcomes will contribute to the Regional Food and Nutrition Security Outlook under CILSS and ECOWAS.
“The emerging trends continue to call for decisive action,” Ogunbiyi warned. “Climate variability, insecurity in food-producing areas, and rising input costs are aggravating food and nutrition insecurity”.
“Addressing these challenges demands a coordinated, multi-sectoral response that links agriculture, health, social protection, and economic planning.”
Declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to evidence-based policymaking and cross-sectoral collaboration, urging stakeholders to sustain momentum.
“Together, let us continue to strengthen the analytical foundations that support Nigeria’s pathway towards zero hunger and improved nutrition for all,” he concluded.
Sources: Business Day
