The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that emergency food assistance in Nigeria is grinding to a halt due to a critical funding shortage, raising concerns of a worsening hunger crisis across the country. As economic hardship deepens and insecurity persists, millions of Nigerians face the threat of food insecurity without immediate international support. Beginning in August, these cuts could bring a complete stop to food distribution in conflict-ridden northeastern regions, directly affecting more than 1.3 million vulnerable people. The consequences are dire and specific: nutritional clinics in Borno state face closure, which would strip life-saving care from 300,000 young children at risk of extreme malnutrition. Furthermore, essential survival assistance for 700,000 internally displaced persons would be halted.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by WFP | World Food Programme (@worldfoodprogramme)

The crisis is exacerbated by the relentless violence and insecurity that has plagued northern Nigeria for years. Escalating attacks from extremist groups have led to mass displacement, with approximately 2.3 million people across the Lake Chad Basin forced to flee their homes. This constant state of conflict has strained already limited resources and pushed communities to the brink of collapse. For many, the WFP’s assistance is the last line of defence against starvation and exploitation. The cessation of this aid will leave them with impossible choices: face starvation, migrate in search of food and shelter, or risk being co-opted by insurgent groups.

WFP has alerted that children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and displaced populations are among the most vulnerable. The organisation’s inability to reach these groups with critical food and nutrition support is expected to lead to increased levels of malnutrition and hardship in affected communities. Despite efforts to reach those most in need, WFP said the current funding gap is limiting its ability to maintain even its most basic programmes.

Nigeria’s broader economic challenges are worsening the humanitarian outlook. The country is grappling with a weakening currency, declining oil revenues, and the impact of recent economic reforms. The removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira have contributed to a rise in transport and food costs, putting additional pressure on already struggling households. Many families are cutting meals or relying on less nutritious food to cope.

In recent months, the naira has reached record lows against the United States dollar, with inflation further eroding purchasing power. Nigeria’s annual inflation reached 34.19% in June, its highest level in nearly three decades. While fuel subsidy removal was meant to reduce pressure on government finances, the immediate effect has been a sharp rise in the cost of goods and services, pushing more Nigerians below the poverty line.

Food prices in particular have soared. Staple items such as rice, beans, yam, maize, and garri have doubled or even tripled in price in some parts of the country. Farmers are also struggling, facing high costs for fertilisers, limited access to inputs, and worsening security conditions in rural areas. Many agricultural communities have seen their yields drop due to erratic rainfall, flooding, and displacement caused by violence. The result is a growing gap between what people can afford and what is available in the market. In urban areas, more families are skipping meals, while in rural areas, some communities have reported severe food shortages. The rise in food insecurity is also increasing pressure on health services, as cases of malnutrition and related illnesses climb.

The worsening hunger situation is compounding the country’s broader economic distress. With high unemployment and underemployment, many households have little or no savings to fall back on. Youth unemployment remains one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, while small businesses are struggling with rising operational costs and reduced consumer demand.

WFP’s operations in other countries, including Sudan, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan, are also facing similar funding gaps. However, Nigeria’s size and the scale of its hunger crisis make it one of the most urgent situations globally. The agency noted that, unless funds are received quickly, the window to avert a major humanitarian disaster will close.

The long-term consequences of inaction are dire. A massive hunger crisis will not only lead to a tragic loss of life but also fuel further instability. Desperate and hungry populations are more susceptible to recruitment by extremist groups, and mass migration can destabilise neighbouring regions. The WFP has warned that the current situation is more than just a humanitarian crisis as it is also a growing threat to regional stability.