March 25, 2025/CSL Research
A recent World Food Programme (WFP) Nigeria Situation Report reveals that approximately 11 million people across six states in northeast and northwest Nigeria are facing severe food insecurity in 2025. This crisis, driven by ongoing conflict, soaring food and fuel prices, climate shocks, and mass displacement, has left millions without access to adequate food and nutrition. Urgent intervention is needed to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
Adding to the concern, a UNICEF report highlights that one in three Nigerian children under five suffers from severe food poverty, making them 50% more likely to face life-threatening conditions. UNICEF attributes this to poor nutrition, the aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods, and widespread economic hardship affecting families across the country.
In 2024, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated over 300,000 children for malnutrition across seven Nigerian states—Borno, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi—marking a 25% increase from 2023. This sharp rise underscores the worsening food crisis and the urgent need for intervention. Nigeria is experiencing its worst food insecurity in decades, driven by a weakening naira, low domestic agricultural output, and heavy reliance on expensive food imports. The situation is further aggravated by violent conflicts, including insurgency in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, and farmer-herder clashes in the north-central and southwest. Rising inflation has also pushed up agricultural input costs and transportation expenses, making food even less affordable. Additionally, climate change has worsened the crisis, with frequent and severe flooding disrupting food production, further reducing food availability and affordability.
To effectively combat food insecurity, the Nigerian government must prioritize economic diversification, reduce reliance on oil, and foster a thriving agribusiness sector. Creating a supportive environment for agricultural investment is crucial for this transformation. Strengthening agricultural policies with robust implementation, monitoring, and enforcement is essential to ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, adopting Climate-Smart Agriculture will help build resilience against climate change, safeguarding food production despite environmental challenges. Improving rural security is also critical to protecting farmers and their farmlands, which is necessary for boosting agricultural output. Ultimately, long-term, sustainable solutions are key to ensuring food security and reducing hunger across Nigeria.
Click here to download full report: CSL Nigeria Daily – 25 March 2025- Food Insecurity .pdf
