The United Nations has raised concerns over a worsening food crisis in Nigeria, warning that about 35 million people across the country could face acute hunger between June and August 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the UN Humanitarian Country Team said Nigeria is confronting a deepening food insecurity crisis as the annual lean season approaches, with millions of households expected to struggle to access adequate food.
According to the organisation, nearly one in seven Nigerians may experience severe food shortages during the period, especially in northern parts of the country where the impact is expected to be most severe.
“Nearly one in seven people, that is 35 million people nationwide in Nigeria, are likely to face acute food insecurity during this year’s lean season, which runs from June to August,” the UN stated.
The global body noted that Nigeria now ranks among countries experiencing some of the world’s largest hunger crises, stressing that delays in humanitarian support could worsen conditions for vulnerable families.
“If assistance is further delayed, millions of families will be forced to reduce meals further, sell assets, or withdraw their children from school with the long-term impact that we know it has,” the organisation warned.
The UN also expressed concern over the growing number of malnourished children, revealing that an estimated 6.4 million children in North-East and North-West Nigeria are projected to suffer acute malnutrition in 2026.
“Our partners and we are appealing for urgent funding to scale up life-saving assistance,” the statement added.
The humanitarian body further disclosed that funding for Nigeria’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan remains inadequate.
It explained that the appeal, valued at 516 million dollars, has received only a fraction of the required support.
According to the latest humanitarian response figures, just 215 million dollars had been secured as of May 2026, representing slightly above 40 per cent of the total funding target.
The UN called for increased support to help mitigate the looming crisis and protect vulnerable populations from the devastating effects of hunger and malnutrition.
