In Nigeria’s north, families are skipping meals not by choice, but by force, driven to desperation by conflict, inflation, and climate shocks — new report warns.
With over 16 million Nigerians projected to face acute hunger between June and October 2025, the country stands at the forefront of a rapidly deteriorating food security crisis sweeping across Africa and the globe. A new joint report by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) classifies Nigeria as one of the world’s “hunger hotspots of very high concern,” warning that without immediate humanitarian intervention, the situation could spiral into a full-scale disaster.
In Nigeria’s northern regions, escalating violence has become a deadly constant, disrupting farming, forcing displacement, and restricting humanitarian access. Armed groups continue to wage attacks that not only claim lives but cripple livelihoods, healthnewsng can report. The report also points to surging inflation and economic instability as major factors, with food prices reaching record highs and many families unable to afford even basic meals. Combined with climate shocks—from erratic rainfall to potential flooding—the outlook is grim.
But Nigeria is not alone. Across Africa, millions face a perfect storm of conflict, climate shocks, and economic hardship. South Sudan and Sudan are grappling with some of the most severe crises. In South Sudan, over half the population is expected to face Crisis-level hunger or worse, with tens of thousands on the brink of famine. The situation is exacerbated by political instability, flooding, and a wave of refugees fleeing violence in neighboring Sudan.
Sudan’s conflict, now in its third year, has become the epicenter of the world’s largest regional displacement crisis, with over 12 million people forced to flee their homes. Humanitarian access is extremely limited, and in some regions—such as North Darfur—famine-like conditions (IPC Phase 5) have already taken hold.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad are all grappling with similar threats. In the DRC, nearly 28 million people are now projected to be food insecure due to intensifying conflict and soaring food prices. In the Sahel region, rains expected between July and September could cause widespread flooding, further threatening crops and livestock.
Zooming out, the report paints a bleak global picture. From Gaza to Haiti and Myanmar, hunger is being driven by a toxic mix of armed conflict, economic fragility, and climate extremes. The FAO and WFP estimate that 13 countries and territories are on the edge of acute food insecurity, and global humanitarian funding is falling dangerously short. As of May 2025, only 9% of required food assistance funding had been received.
Even as neutral El Niño conditions are forecast, weather anomalies such as droughts, floods, and cyclones are expected to persist, compounding the risks. And with official development assistance projected to drop by 13% in 2025, the ability of governments and aid agencies to respond is further constrained.
“Without immediate humanitarian action and coordinated international efforts,” the report warns, “further starvation and loss of life are likely.”