New projections from the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis, released Friday, predict that approximately 33.1 million Nigerians will face acute food and nutrition insecurity by mid-2025,leadership reports.
Conducted by the federal government alongside the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners, the analysis indicates that by December 2024, around 25 million people will experience acute food insecurity, with the North-East and Central regions being most affected.
The report attributes the crisis to persistent insecurity, inflation, climate shocks, and high poverty rates. It also warns that over 514,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara States may face crisis-level or worse food insecurity between June and August 2025, impacting residents across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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As Nigeria approaches its annual lean season, severe food shortages are expected for many households, increasing risks of acute malnutrition in regions with already high rates. For example, Borno State’s Maiduguri has reported a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate of 18.1%, while Jere has reached 14.9%, with similar critical levels observed in parts of Northern and Central Katsina.
The CH report emphasizes the need for urgent, comprehensive interventions, including emergency food assistance, resilience-building programs, and targeted support for vulnerable households to prevent further deterioration.
FAO Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Kouacou Dominique Koffy, urged unified efforts, stating that collaboration among government, CH stakeholders, and the international community is essential to reduce hunger and alleviate suffering for Nigeria’s most vulnerable. Represented by Tofiq Braimah, Koffy called for urgent priority in addressing food and nutrition security.
Echoing this commitment, Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to applying the report’s findings to guide food and nutrition programs across states. Represented by Kilishi Mohammed, Fashedemi acknowledged the contributions of various partners in ensuring the report’s quality and breadth.
