Hunger in northern Nigeria reaches worst levels in nearly a decade, WFP says

Lead

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday that conflict and funding cuts have driven severe hunger in northern Nigeria to its worst level in nearly a decade. More than 17 million people across nine conflict-affected states are experiencing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic levels of hunger, according to the agency.

Coverage Comparison

The WFP's warning was widely reported, with three news organisations covering the story: Africa News, AllAfrica, and RFI — English. All three highlighted the scale of the crisis, with 17 million people facing severe hunger, and attributed the deterioration to violence and shrinking humanitarian assistance.

Africa News emphasised the role of conflict and the resurgence of jihadist insurgency since 2025, as well as aid cuts under US President Donald Trump. AllAfrica and RFI — English focused on the food insecurity and violence, noting the increase in people facing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic hunger by almost two million from previous projections. Both also reported that 3 million people are acutely short of food in Borno state, with more than 750,000 facing severe hunger conditions.

The WFP needs $89 million over the next six months to maintain food, nutrition, and logistics support across northern Nigeria, a figure consistent across all three reports. Additionally, more than 1,000 Nigerians received assistance in Benin last month, as reported by AllAfrica and RFI — English.

Key Claims

• More than 17 million people across nine conflict-hit states in northern Nigeria face severe hunger.
• Violence and funding cuts are driving food insecurity to its worst level in nearly a decade.
• The number of people facing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic hunger has risen by almost two million from previous projections, as reported by AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• More than 3 million people are acutely short of food in Borno state, with over 750,000 facing severe hunger conditions, according to AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• The WFP needs $89 million over the next six months to maintain food, nutrition, and logistics support.
• More than 1,000 Nigerians received assistance in Benin last month, as reported by AllAfrica and RFI — English.
• Conflict and shrinking humanitarian assistance are driving the food crisis, a point highlighted by Africa News.
• Nigeria has been battling a jihadist insurgency centred in the north-east since 2009, with a resurgence in violence since 2025, as reported by Africa News.
• Jihadists have expanded into the north-west, which already faces a separate crisis from armed 'bandit' gangs, according to Africa News.
• Aid cuts under US President Donald Trump and other western countries have hit some of Nigeria's poorest households, as reported by Africa News.
• The lack of food aid due to funding shortfalls has triggered an alarming escalation in exploitation and gender-based harm, particularly impacting women and children in some camps, according to Africa News.