On a sweltering afternoon in Katsina, Fatima cradles her two-year-old son, Musa, in a crowded therapeutic feeding centre. His frail body, barely clinging to life, tells a story that words cannot. Musa is one of millions of Nigerian children facing the brutal reality of severe acute malnutrition—a condition that makes a child 9–12 times more likely to die than if they were well nourished.
But Musa is also a symbol of hope. With timely treatment, he is slowly recovering. His story reminds us that malnutrition is not a death sentence—it is a preventable tragedy.
A Nation at Breaking Point
According to the March 2025 Cadre Harmonisé food security survey, nearly 31 million Nigerians across 26 states and the FCT face acute food insecurity. Extrapolated nationwide, this number could reach 40 million people—a population larger than many countries.
Nigeria now bears the highest burden of malnutrition in Africa, with 15 million children under five affected by various forms of malnutrition. Of these, 3.5 million risk slipping into severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
In six northern states—Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina—2.5 million children are at risk. But the crisis is no longer confined to the north: southern states such as Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, and Osun are reporting rising cases, signalling a nationwide emergency.
Humanitarian Lifelines on the Brink
Despite tireless efforts by humanitarian organizations, the system is overwhelmed. In some centres, two children must share a single hospital bed. Health workers are treating increasingly severe cases, often with limited supplies.
- World Food Programme’s food pipeline could break by end of August/early September.
- UNICEF’s therapeutic supplies are expected to run out by end of September.
Without immediate funding, humanitarian actors will face impossible choices—deciding which children to save and which to turn away. Already, warning signs are emerging, including malnutrition in some adult populations, particularly among displaced families.
Time Is Running Out
Malnutrition is entirely preventable and treatable. Yet, without urgent intervention:
- 420,000 children under five could die this year.
- That’s 2,000 children per week—mostly during the lean season—from causes we can prevent.
This is not only a humanitarian crisis. It is a national development emergency. Early malnutrition causes irreversible damage to a child’s physical and cognitive development, risking the loss of an entire generation.
A Call to Action
We urgently call on:
- The Government of Nigeria to scale up domestic action and funding.
- International partners and donors to close the critical funding gap.
- Private sector and philanthropists to join the fight against hunger.
The next 3–6 months are critical. Humanitarian organizations are ready to scale up—but we cannot do so without resources.
Investing in Nigeria’s Future
Every naira, every dollar invested in nutrition is an investment in Nigeria’s future prosperity. If we act now, children like Musa can survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential. If we delay, we risk condemning millions to needless suffering and loss.
During this lean season, let us honour the courage of humanitarian workers and the memory of those we have lost by acting with urgency and compassion.
Because no child should die from a preventable cause.
Not today. Not ever.
About the author
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