The United Nations has warned that Nigeria is on the brink of a deepening humanitarian crisis, with over 31 million people currently food insecure and more than 10 million children under five suffering from acute malnutrition, out of which 3.5 million face severe malnutrition.
The disturbing figures were disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja during a joint meeting between the Federal Government and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to mark the 2025 World Humanitarian Day, themed “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.”
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, said the crisis is compounded by dwindling international support and worsening insecurity.
> “Humanitarian needs are escalating in Nigeria, characterised by rising food insecurity and malnutrition. The humanitarian community is facing unprecedented challenges, with international humanitarian law often disregarded and solidarity for vulnerable people weakening globally,” Fall said.
He warned that about 400,000 children suffering Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) may die if urgent action is not taken to provide life-saving intervention.
Fall stressed the need to transition from donor-driven aid to community-led humanitarian action, urging both government and partners to strengthen transparency, accountability, and efficiency in relief operations.
On his part, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Sununu, assured that the Federal Government would scale up funding for humanitarian programmes while integrating relief efforts with development and peace-building.
He said: “The government recognises the importance of connecting humanitarian efforts with long-term solutions. We are committed to establishing a stronger framework for accountability and transparency.”
Similarly, Head of UNOCHA in Nigeria, Trond Jensen, described the situation as a ticking time bomb.
> “Pipelines for food and nutrition that are lifelines for millions of people, especially children, are severely disrupted or depleted. Millions of children are at risk of life-threatening malnutrition,” Jensen warned.
Both the UN and the Nigerian government called for stronger collaboration with local and international stakeholders to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and honour the sacrifices of aid workers who lost their lives assisting conflict and disaster victims.
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