The United Nations, through its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria, has disclosed that 35 million Nigerians are at risk of acute hunger this year
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Public Information, UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Nigeria, Ann Weru, this was contained in the body’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Nigeria.
“Nearly 35 million Nigerians are also likely to face acute food insecurity during the 2026 lean season – 5.8 million of them in the BAY States.
“The 2026 Nigeria HNRP also highlights a transition to nationally-led and resourced humanitarian action, with the gradual phasing out of international support amid the global decline in humanitarian funding,” it stated.
It added that in 2026, around three million children under five in Nigeria were projected to suffer from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition ─ one million of those children would be in the BAY States.
It highlighted that women and children make up eight out of every 10 people in immediate need.
Consequently, the Federal Government and humanitarian partners are shopping for $516m to respond to the most critical needs of 2.5 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States this year.
According to OCHA Nigeria, the appeal, through Nigeria’s 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, comes amidst spiralling needs in the BAY states due to a 16-year conflict whose impact has been compounded by widespread displacement, limited access to basic services, climate shocks, economic hardship, and shrinking livelihood opportunities.
“Humanitarian needs are dramatically worsening at a time when we are facing the steepest decline in international funding for humanitarian operations.
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Lord have mercy