35 million Nigerians at risk of acute hunger – UN

The United Nations (UN) has warned that about 35 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger between June and August 2026.

The UN humanitarian country team, based in New York, said Nigeria is facing a worsening food crisis that could push millions into severe food insecurity if urgent intervention is not provided.

It said nearly oneh in seven Nigerians will likely struggle to access enough food during the period, describing the situation as one of the largest hunger crises globally, with the North expected to bear the heaviest burden.

The UN cautioned that delays in humanitarian assistance could force vulnerable households to adopt negative coping strategies, including reducing meal intake, selling assets, or withdrawing children from school.

Across the North-West and North-East, it estimated that about 6.4 million children could suffer from acute malnutrition within the year if conditions persist.

The organisation appealed for urgent funding to scale up life-saving interventions, noting that its 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, valued at $516 million, is only about 40 per cent funded.

According to the latest report, only $215 million has been received as of May 2026, leaving a significant funding gap to address the crisis.

The UN urged international partners and donors to step up support, warning that failure to act quickly could worsen an already fragile humanitarian situation in Africa’s most populous country.