Nearly 35 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger in the coming months as the United Nations warns of one of the worst food insecurity crises in the country’s recent history.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, disclosed this at the launch of the 2026 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan in Abuja stating approximately 35 million people may face food insecurity during the upcoming lean season.
Among those at risk, an estimated 3 million children face life-threatening severe acute malnutrition, according to the most recent Cadre Harmonisé food security assessment that is equivalent to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for West and Central Africa.
The hunger crisis is particularly severe in the North East where about 15,000 people in Borno State are projected to experience catastrophic hunger, classified as IPC Phase 5, just one step away from famine. This represents the worst levels of hunger recorded in Nigeria in a decade.
The United Nations attributes this dire situation to the collapse of global humanitarian funding budgets. The UN now aims to provide $516 million in lifesaving aid to 2.5 million people in 2026, a sharp reduction from 3.6 million people reached in 2025, which itself represented about half the coverage level of the previous year.
Funding shortages have forced the World Food Programme to cut support for more than 300,000 children who depended on its nutrition programs when its resources ran out in December 2025. The WFP urgently requires USD 129 million to sustain operations in north-east Nigeria over the next six months or faces full shutdown in the region.
Mohamed Malick Fall said the UN had no choice but to focus on the most lifesaving interventions given the dramatic drop in available funding, meaning millions of vulnerable Nigerians will receive no international humanitarian support despite facing acute need.
Civilians in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states continue to live in fear amid rising insecurity from extremist groups whose attacks are surging and pushing food out of reach for millions of families. The UN says households are displaced, farms are destroyed and markets are inaccessible.
The Nigerian government has pledged to strengthen food security by focusing on boosting food production, supporting local farmers, expanding nutrition programs especially for children and pregnant women, and strengthening social protection systems beyond emergency relief.
About the author
Marital Malice Is No Excuse For Infidelity Actress Shan George
Veteran Nollywood actress Shan George has condemned infidelity saying marital malice should never be used as justification for a spouse to cheat on their partner. Speaking after the controversy surrounding Nigerian singer Chike's alleged affair with actor Sandra Edoho wife of TV host Frank Edoho Shan George said she will not support Sandra's actions. She maintained that if a woman is tired of her marriage it is understandable to quit but cheating because her husband kept malice is not acceptable. The actress said any man whose joy stick rises for another man's wife has committed an unacceptable act of adultery contrasting it with ignorance of the law which she said is not an excuse. Shan George warned husbands that if their wives have the mentality of cheating because they keep malice with them they should rethink their decisions before it […]
Onyedika Lifts Belgian League Title with Club Brugge
Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika has won the Belgian Pro League title with Club Brugge, adding another major trophy to his growing career collection. The Belgian giants secured their 20th league championship after a tense 2-2 draw away to KV Mechelen on Thursday night, finishing ahead of closest rivals Royale Union Saint-Gilloise with one game still left to play in the season. Against Mechelen, Greek winger Christos Tzolis opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Nicolò Tresoldi doubled Club Brugge's lead shortly after half-time. Mechelen fought back late in the game and eventually forced a 2-2 draw after an 86th-minute own goal, but the single point was enough for Brugge to officially secure the league title. Onyedika, 25 years old, has now won six major trophies during his senior career. Four of those titles have come with Club Brugge […]
Unity Cup Chelle to Defend Trophy with Experimental Squad
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced plans to defend the Unity Cup trophy with an experimental squad packed with debutants as he blends overseas talent and home-based players to refresh the national team. Chelle has named a 27-man squad for the Unity Cup tournament in London that includes 12 debutants, marking a significant overhaul of Nigeria's national team. The purpose is to test new faces and tactics ahead of more important competitive fixtures including the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers. The squad features seven home-based players from the Nigeria Premier Football League including defenders Ego Ogbu of Slavia Prague in Czech Republic, Obinna Igboke of Enugu Rangers, Eleazer Utchoubi of Rivers United and Chibuzo Okputa of Enugu Rangers. The midfield roster includes Samson Tijani of Dukla Prague in Czech Republic, Ayobami Junior of […]
35 Million Nigerians Risk Acute Hunger in Coming Months UN
Nearly 35 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger in the coming months as the United Nations warns of one of the worst food insecurity crises in the country's recent history. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, disclosed this at the launch of the 2026 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan in Abuja stating approximately 35 million people may face food insecurity during the upcoming lean season. Among those at risk, an estimated 3 million children face life-threatening severe acute malnutrition, according to the most recent Cadre Harmonisé food security assessment that is equivalent to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification for West and Central Africa. The hunger crisis is particularly severe in the North East where about 15,000 people in Borno State are projected to experience catastrophic hunger, classified as IPC Phase 5, […]
Troops Kill Several Terrorists Rescue Ngoshe Kidnapped Victims
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued additional kidnapped victims from the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and killed several terrorists in sustained operations across the North East. In a clearance mission along the Mandara Mountains axis on May 14 2026 troops intercepted and rescued six women and children who had been held captive by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist elements along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Gwoza area. The rescued victims all residents of Ngoshe community include Amina Salihu 52, Aishatu Musa 50, twin sisters Hassana and Hussaina Abubakar 9 years each, Adamu Zakariyya 12, and Usman Zakariyya 10. They were immediately taken into military care where they received medical attention before being reunited with relatives through community leaders and religious authorities. The military says the latest rescue brings the […]
NEMA Repatriates 497 Nigerians from Niger Republic
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons has successfully repatriated 497 stranded Nigerian migrants from the Niger Republic to Nigeria. The returnees were brought back from Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, through a coordinated voluntary repatriation programme supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). They arrived at the border and were received by emergency officials from their respective states together with representatives of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, the Nigeria Red Cross and security agencies. Among those repatriated were adult males, adult females and children who had left Nigeria to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated. Many of them were stranded in Niger Republic after being turned back or unable to […]
Related
Troops Kill Several Terrorists Rescue Ngoshe Kidnapped Victims
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Hadin Kai have rescued additional kidnapped victims from the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and killed several terrorists in sustained operations across the North East. In a clearance mission along the Mandara Mountains axis on May 14 2026 troops intercepted and rescued six women and children who had been held captive by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist elements along the Amuda–Gava corridor in the Gwoza area. The rescued victims all residents of Ngoshe community include Amina Salihu 52, Aishatu Musa 50, twin sisters Hassana and Hussaina Abubakar 9 years each, Adamu Zakariyya 12, and Usman Zakariyya 10. They were immediately taken into military care where they received medical attention before being reunited with relatives through community leaders and religious authorities. The military says the latest rescue brings the […]
NEMA Repatriates 497 Nigerians from Niger Republic
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons has successfully repatriated 497 stranded Nigerian migrants from the Niger Republic to Nigeria. The returnees were brought back from Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, through a coordinated voluntary repatriation programme supported by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). They arrived at the border and were received by emergency officials from their respective states together with representatives of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, the Nigeria Red Cross and security agencies. Among those repatriated were adult males, adult females and children who had left Nigeria to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated. Many of them were stranded in Niger Republic after being turned back or unable to […]
Terrorism Is Nigeria’s Most Complex Security Threat Says Gen Musa
The Minister of Defence General Christopher Gwabin Musa Rtd has stated that terrorism remains Nigeria's most complex and challenging security threat facing the nation today. Speaking at a panel session on Countering Terrorism International Cooperation Reclaimed at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Türkiye the former Chief of Defence Staff emphasized that terrorism has become increasingly complex adaptive and transnational driven by decentralised networks emerging technologies and illicit financing. General Musa warned that the convergence of terrorism organised crime and banditry particularly across fragile regions such as the Sahel demands urgent and coordinated global action. He stated that no country regardless of strength or capacity can confront terrorism alone and collective security must guide our response. The Defence Minister highlighted that as terrorists increasingly exploit digital platforms encryption and hybrid criminal networks global responses must advance faster through technology adoption […]
Court Dismisses Suit Seeking to Bar Kingibe From ADC Activities
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an urgent application seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in activities of the African Democratic Congress following her alleged suspension from the party. Justice Peter Lifu on Thursday rejected an ex parte application filed by leaders of the ADC in Wuse Ward of the Federal Capital Territory who claimed the FCT lawmaker had been suspended over alleged anti-party activities. Instead of granting the request the judge directed the plaintiffs to put the senator on notice to appear in court and respond to their allegations. The judge ruled that discretion in requests for prohibition from party activities and in political matters must be exercised judicially and judiciously. Justice Lifu added that justice would be met in the case of the plaintiffs only when the side of the defendant is heard on […]
Fayemi Reveals How He Pushed Obi to Greet Tinubu at Vatican
Former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi has revealed how he encouraged Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to walk with him to greet President Bola Tinubu during Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass at the Vatican. According to accounts shared by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, Fayemi a Papal Knight and devout Catholic spotted President Tinubu seated among other world leaders at St Peter’s Square and told Obi they should go and pay homage to the Nigerian leader. Obi agreed and followed him to where Tinubu was seated. Fayemi said he decided to break the ice between the two political rivals and show that politics should not destroy basic respect and civility among Nigerians. At the meeting he jokingly welcomed Tinubu saying “Mr President welcome to our church and thank you for honouring the Pope with your presence.” President Tinubu replied in […]
NYSC to Begin 2026 Batch B Stream I Orientation June 10
The National Youth Service Corps NYSC has announced that the 2026 Batch B Stream I orientation course will commence on Wednesday June 10 2026 across all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. The Director of Information and Public Relations for the scheme Caroline Embu confirmed the dates in an official statement. The orientation exercise will run for three weeks and will conclude on Wednesday July 1 2026. The online registration portal for Batch B Stream I is expected to open in late May to early June 2026. Call-up letters will be released around Sunday June 8 2026 and the camps will open for the actual orientation course from Wednesday June 10 to Wednesday July 1 2026. The NYSC mobilizes graduates in three main batches A B and C each service year. Following the completion of Batch A […]
Be the first to leave a comment