The United Nations has warned that about 35 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity between June and August 2026, as the country enters its annual lean season amid worsening inflation, insecurity and climate-related shocks.
The projection, contained in a recent food security assessment, indicates a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by rising food prices, disrupted agricultural activities and declining household purchasing power across the country.
The lean season, typically marked by depleted household food stocks before the next harvest, is expected to hit hardest in rural communities, conflict-affected areas in the North-East and North-West, internally displaced persons’ camps, and low-income urban settlements already grappling with economic hardship.
According to the report, persistent insecurity has continued to limit farmers’ access to farmlands, destroy livelihoods and displace rural populations, further weakening domestic food production at a critical period in the agricultural calendar.
Climate shocks, including flooding in parts of the country and irregular rainfall patterns, have also contributed to reduced crop yields, compounding supply shortages and worsening food availability nationwide.
The assessment, developed with support from the United Nations and the World Food Programme, noted that inflation and high transportation costs have significantly pushed up the prices of staple foods, forcing many households to spend a disproportionate share of their income on food.
It warned that millions of Nigerians are already adopting negative coping strategies, including reducing meal portions and skipping meals, with children under five and pregnant women identified as the most vulnerable to rising malnutrition risks.
Humanitarian agencies cautioned that without urgent and scaled-up intervention, the country could experience a surge in severe acute malnutrition during the lean season, alongside increased displacement and pressure on overstretched aid systems.
The UN called for immediate coordinated action by the Federal Government and development partners, including expanded emergency food assistance, improved security in farming communities, and targeted support for smallholder farmers ahead of the next planting season to strengthen local production.
Stakeholders warned that failure to act swiftly could push Nigeria into one of its most severe food crises in recent years, with millions at risk of slipping deeper into hunger and deprivation if current projections materialise.
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