The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for USD $128 million to continue its operations in Nigeria from January 2025 to June 2026, highlighting the acute risk of over a million people in northeastern Nigeria losing access to essential food and nutrition aid. The situation arises as violence in the country intensifies, exacerbating the existing food insecurity crisis detailed in a recent report. Without immediate funding, the WFP will encounter critical food and cash shortfalls by early 2026, threatening to halt operations by late February.
The organization’s country director for Nigeria, David Stevenson, has emphasized the gravity of the situation, articulating the potential for catastrophic humanitarian, security, and economic repercussions. The deterioration of security conditions in the northeast, driven by violence from militant groups, places rural communities at even greater risk. Particularly alarming is the plight of approximately 15,000 individuals in Borno state, who are on the brink of catastrophic hunger, a severe condition just a step away from famine.
In Nigeria, the threat of food insecurity is a pressing concern, with 35 million people facing acute deprivation. The situation is compounded by the fact that 37 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, and 2.3 million individuals have been displaced due to ongoing violence. This humanitarian crisis necessitates not only immediate aid but long-term solutions to address the underlying causes.
Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to promote resilience through locally led initiatives. The WFP has been instrumental in developing community-led farmer service centers in states like Sokoto and has facilitated large-scale fortification of rice in Lagos and Kebbi to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Yet, the continuation of such initiatives is heavily reliant on adequate funding and support.
International awareness of this crisis is critical as the world grapples with increasing challenges to food security. Understanding the deep-rooted issues fueling the crisis in Nigeria is essential for mobilizing support and resources. As the WFP’s report illustrates, humanitarian aid is imperative not only to alleviate immediate needs but to work toward sustainable improvements in food security infrastructure, thereby mitigating future crises.