UN warning: 35m Nigerians may face acute hunger next few months

By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani

The United Nations has warned that about 35 million Nigerians are likely to face acute food insecurity during this year’s lean season, which runs from June to August.

The UN Humanitarian Country Team said Nigeria was facing a deepening hunger crisis, with millions at risk as the lean season approaches.

“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 said the latest report makes Nigeria one of the world’s largest hunger crises, with the burden falling overwhelmingly in northern part of the country.

“If assistance is further delayed, millions of families will be forced to further reduce meals, sell assets or withdraw their children from school with the long-term impact that we know that has.”

Across North-west and North-east Nigeria, the UN said an estimated 6.4 million children are likely to be acutely malnourished this year.

“We and our partners are appealing for urgent funding to scale-up life-saving assistance,” the global multilateral body said.

The UN said the already hyper-prioritized 516 million dollars Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the year 2026 is just over 40 per cent funded.

According to the latest humanitarian response plan report, only 215 million dollars out of the 516 million dollars have been received as at May 2026.

(NAN)