Nigeria is experiencing the continent's most severe food security crisis, with 31.8 million people suffering from acute food shortages in 2024, according to a newly released global assessment. This figure represents not only Africa's highest total but also ranks among the world's most severe food emergencies.

The Global Report on Food Crises, jointly published by the Global Network Against Food Crises, UNICEF, and the Food Security Information Network, identifies Nigeria as the country with the sharpest increase in food insecurity worldwide last year. An additional 6.9 million Nigerians fell into acute food insecurity during 2024—accounting for nearly a quarter (23%) of the global increase.

Multiple factors have converged to create this crisis, including:

- Persistent armed conflict disrupting agricultural activities

- Severe economic challenges affecting affordability of food

- Extreme weather events devastating farmland and crops

- Disruptions to farming and trade, particularly in northern regions

The report places Nigeria at the top of food insecurity rankings among 40 assessed countries and territories. Over 30.8 million Nigerians were classified in Phase 3 (Crisis) of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), while more than one million reached Phase 4 (Emergency) conditions.

Environmental Impact and Displacement

The crisis was significantly worsened by environmental disasters, with flooding affecting 1.2 million people and destroying over 700,000 hectares of agricultural land in 2024 alone. The northeastern and northwestern regions suffered the most severe impacts, with many communities experiencing displacement and broken food supply chains.

Child Nutrition Crisis

The food shortages have taken a devastating toll on children's health:

- 5.4 million Nigerian children under five affected by acute malnutrition

- 1.8 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition

- 84 locations across the northeast and northwest classified as having "Serious" or worse nutrition conditions

- 34 areas reaching "Critical" malnutrition status

Health experts attribute these outcomes to inadequate diets, limited access to clean water, and disruptions to infant feeding practices due to displacement.

Structural Challenges

The report highlights ongoing structural issues exacerbating the crisis, including poor crop yields, economic hardship, and limited access to essential farming inputs. Food inflation remained high throughout 2024, while currency depreciation further reduced households' purchasing power for basic food items.

The humanitarian situation is further complicated by displacement, with 3.4 million internally displaced Nigerians and approximately 100,000 refugees in the country by year's end.

Outlook for 2025

Without significant intervention, the outlook remains bleak. Projections indicate that 30.6 million Nigerians may continue to face crisis-level food insecurity during the upcoming lean season in 2025, suggesting the emergency will persist without urgent and comprehensive action.