The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that about 34.7 million Nigerians, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), could face acute food insecurity by June 2026 if urgent action is not taken.
The warning is contained in the October 2025 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Food and Nutrition Insecurity Analysis, jointly released by the FAO and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).
The report, presented on Friday in Abuja, indicated that about 650,730 people in Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara States may experience crisis levels (CH Phase 3) or worse between June and August 2026.
It further revealed that approximately 27.2 million people, including IDPs, are already facing crisis or worse food insecurity across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The analysis highlighted that six Local Government Areas in Borno are likely to experience emergency conditions, while food insecurity in Adamawa and Yobe States may deteriorate further.
The report also noted that while some households maintain acceptable food consumption levels, over 55 percent do so by reducing meal quality or borrowing to buy food.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening resilience and promoting coordinated action on food security.
“Together, let us continue to strengthen frameworks that will support Nigerians towards achieving zero hunger and food sufficiency,” Ogunbiyi said.
Also speaking, FAO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Hussein Gadain, identified insecurity, insurgency, banditry, flooding, and climate-related challenges as major drivers of food insecurity in the country.
He added that high costs of agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, seeds, and energy, continue to threaten future production despite a recent decline in food prices.
Gadain called on partners in the Food Security Sector and Nutrition Cluster to intensify support for data collection and analysis in affected regions.
“This October cycle covered 27 states and the FCT, up from 26 states in March. However, nine states remain outside the Cadre Harmonisé process,” he said.
He commended Ekiti State for independently joining and supporting data collection, calling it a strong example of state-level commitment to addressing food insecurity.
“Flooding and other climate events have devastated croplands, compounding risks for affected communities. The CH analysis remains our most relevant early warning tool,” Gadain added.
According to him, the analysis guides humanitarian programming, food security responses, and development planning at national and sub-national levels.
Analysts recommended sustained humanitarian assistance, increased investment in climate-smart agriculture, promotion of agribusiness, and early integration of the Cadre Harmonisé analysis into policy and planning to address food security gaps.
The Cadre Harmonisé is a biannual, government-led assessment of food and nutrition insecurity in Nigeria, supported by the FAO, other United Nations agencies, and both international and national NGOs.
It provides a unified framework for assessing current and projected food security situations, identifying vulnerable populations, and guiding evidence-based policymaking and timely interventions. The initiative currently covers all 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
