Nigeria’s hunger crisis is projected to worsen significantly, with over 30 million citizens likely to experience food insecurity next year—a sharp increase from this year—according to a joint report by the Nigerian government and the United Nations released Friday. As economic hardships mount, Africa’s most populous nation faces severe challenges, with escalating living costs prompting deadly protests in August.
Economic strain has intensified since President Bola Tinubu introduced austerity measures, including the devaluation of the naira and the end of a long-standing fuel subsidy, which have driven inflation to record levels. The report, based on a biannual analysis across 26 states and the federal capital, warns that approximately 33.1 million people could be food insecure by August 2025, compared to 24.8 million by the end of this year.
“Several factors are fueling this alarming trend, primarily economic hardship, record inflation, and surging food and transportation costs,” the report states.
Chi Lael, a spokesperson for the World Food Programme in Nigeria, noted that although recent economic policies are aimed at long-term stability, they have had immediate effects on household budgets, making it increasingly difficult for people to afford basic food items.
In response, Finance Minister Wale Edun announced on Thursday that the government has provided cash aid to 5 million households, with each receiving 25,000 naira ($15.45) to help alleviate financial strain.
High food prices continue to drive inflation, which rose to 32.70% in September, up from 32.15% in August. Additionally, floods and insecurity in northern states have impacted agriculture, causing further food price hikes. An estimated 1.6 million hectares of crops, mainly in northern agricultural areas, were damaged by recent floods, potentially resulting in a loss of 1.1 million tonnes of staple crops such as maize, sorghum, and rice, according to the report.
This reduction in food supply could meet the annual needs of around 13 million people, with economic losses estimated at close to $1 billion, further straining Nigeria’s resources amid this escalating crisis.
