Conflict and shrinking aid drive northern Nigeria hunger crisis to levels not seen in nearly a decade

Escalating attacks across northern Nigeria are driving displacement, restricting humanitarian access and pushing more people into severe food insecurity. Areas where food aid was suspended due to funding shortfalls are hardest hit. ABUJA, Nigeria – The United Nations World Food Programme warned today that Nigeria’s food security crisis is worsening faster than previously anticipated. Conflict is driving hunger in some northern states, particularly the northeast, to levels not seen in almost a decade. The recently completed Cadre Harmonisé analysis shows that more than 17 million people across nine conflict-affected states in northern Nigeria are experiencing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic levels of hunger. This is an increase of almost two million since the last projections. In Borno state, where insurgent attacks have become increasingly frequent and food assistance has been cut, the analysis shows more than three million people are acutely food insecure. Of these, more than 750,000 people are in severe hunger conditions and over 10,000 people are facing catastrophic hunger. While those in catastrophic hunger represent a small share of Borno’s overall food insecure population, it provides a stark warning that conflict, displacement and shrinking humanitarian assistance are pushing the crisis into more dangerous territory. **"**What concerns us most is how this crisis is expanding," said Kinday Samba, WFP Regional Director for West and Central Africa. "For years, insurgent attacks and violence were largely concentrated in parts of northeast Nigeria. Today, they are spreading across a much wider area and forcing people from farmland, driving displacement and restricting humanitarian access, meaning hunger is quick to follow." The humanitarian and food security situation has been compounded by ongoing access issues and extreme funding shortfalls that are making it increasingly difficult for WFP to reach vulnerable populations. The number of inaccessible locations has doubled: a further 15 areas are now considered partially inaccessible for WFP’s frontline staff. Cargo movements along major routes are increasingly disrupted by attacks and illegal checkpoints, impacting how efficiently WFP can move humanitarian supplies. In many locations, WFP’s airlift services could remain the only source of transportation. Meanwhile, funding shortfalls mean that humanitarian assistance is shrinking. While the number of people food insecure in three northeast states has increased to 6.2 million, WFP is only able to support 740,000 of those, leaving 5.5 million people – particularly children – without lifesaving food and nutrition assistance. This is a significant drop from the 1.3 million people WFP was able to support at the height of the 2025 lean season. WFP is deeply concerned that the suspension of food assistance is driving people towards desperate coping strategies. Communities have reported cases of individuals joining armed groups in search of food or income, underlining the risks created when hunger deepens and people run out of options The suspension of food assistance in some camps due to the funding shortfalls has triggered a deeply alarming escalation in exploitation and gender-based harm that is particularly impacting women and children. “When people lose access to food, the risks of displacement, exploitation and instability increase. Yet resources are at their lowest at the time they are needed most,” said Samba. WFP requires USD 89 million over the next six months to continue food and nutrition assistance, and essential logistics support across northern Nigeria before hunger deepens further, more people are displaced and instability spreads across the region. Note to editors: This Cadre Harmonisé provides an update on specific hotspot locations in northern Nigeria, particularly in camps for displaced people and host communities in conflict-affected areas in response to an escalation of attacks since the November Cadre Harmonise was released. Overall, the number of people food insecure across the country has increased to 36.2 million. Broadcast quality video footage can be downloaded here. High-resolution photographs can be downloaded here. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org): Chi Lael, WFP/ Abuja, Mob. +234 802 55 33 218 Honorine Lombolou, WFP/ Dakar, Mob. +221 777 638 12 70 Julian Miglierini, WFP/ Rome, Mob. +39 348 2316793 Martin Rentsch, WFP/Berlin, Mob +49 160 99 26 17 30 Shaza Moghraby, WFP/New York, Mob. + 1 929 289 9867 Nicola Kelly, WFP/London, Mob +44 (0)796 8008 474