A new joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) has placed Nigeria among the world’s most critical hunger hotspots—alongside war-torn nations like Yemen and Sudan—drawing sharp criticism from advocacy groups who blame President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies for deepening the food crisis.
The Hunger Hotspots report, which lists 13 countries at risk of rising acute food insecurity, warns of a looming disaster if immediate steps are not taken.
“This report is a red alert,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance is crucial as the window to avert devastating hunger is closing fast.”
According to the Food and Farmers’ Rights Campaigns (FFRC), Nigeria’s hunger crisis is not due to natural causes but is driven by Tinubu’s economic policies.
The group cited the removal of fuel subsidies, currency devaluation, and major cuts to social services as policies that have pushed millions deeper into poverty and made food unaffordable for many.
“These austerity policies have turned basic food into a luxury,” FFRC stated. “They are not just bad economics—they are life-threatening for ordinary Nigerians.”
The situation is especially dire for children. UNICEF reports that Nigeria now has the second highest rate of stunted children in the world, with 32% of children under five affected. About two million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition, and only a small fraction receive treatment.
Malnutrition, according to the report, is linked to 45% of deaths among under-five children in Nigeria.
Violence and displacement in the northern regions have worsened the food crisis. Farmers are unable to grow or harvest crops due to repeated attacks by armed groups. Many have abandoned their lands. Floods and droughts connected to climate change have also harmed agricultural production.
FFRC questioned why a country with over 70 million hectares of arable land is experiencing such levels of hunger. “Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and more,” the organization said. “But we are seeing a complete failure of leadership—policies that benefit the few at the expense of the hungry millions.”
The group called for a reversal of Tinubu’s economic policies and a focus on agriculture, food production, and social protection programs.
“There is no solution to this crisis unless the government places the needs of workers and the poor at the center of its agenda,” FFRC stated. “Hunger and insecurity are connected, and both are being fuelled by profit-driven governance.”
