A Looming Hunger Crisis in Northern Nigeria
The United Nations has described a growing hunger crisis in northern Nigeria as “unprecedented,” with alarming statistics revealing that at least 5 million children are already suffering from acute malnutrition. This is particularly concerning given that northern Nigeria has historically been the country’s agricultural heartland, producing staple crops such as maize, millet, and sorghum.
In the northeastern region, which includes Borno State, over one million people are reportedly facing severe hunger. Margot van der Velden, Western Africa Regional Director for the World Food Programme (WFP), emphasized that nearly 31 million Nigerians are currently experiencing acute food insecurity, necessitating urgent life-saving food assistance. However, funding for aid programs in West and Central Africa is dwindling, exacerbating the situation.
Dwindling Aid Funds
Many humanitarian programs in West Africa are at risk of closure due to reduced funding. The WFP has warned that its emergency food aid program could cease by July 31 due to critical funding shortfalls. The organization’s food and nutrition stocks have been completely exhausted. By late July, the WFP had only managed to secure 21% of the $130 million (€113 million) it needed to sustain operations in Nigeria for 2025.
Dauda Muhammad, a humanitarian coordinator in northeastern Nigeria, urged the government to act urgently to provide relief, warning that failure to do so could lead to conflicts that would undermine progress made in recent years. He highlighted that reduced funding, limited job opportunities, and rising prices are contributing to food insecurity, which could undo years of efforts to reduce the influence of armed groups like Boko Haram.
Root Causes of the Crisis
Samuel Malik, a senior researcher at Good Governance Africa, pointed to poor governance and prolonged insecurity as the root causes of the crisis. While aid plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity, he noted that it was never intended to be a comprehensive or long-term solution.
Villagers in areas like Ramin Kura displacement camp in Sokoto have been forced to flee unsafe rural regions. Umaimah Abubakar, a 40-year-old resident, shared her story of losing her husband to bandits and being forced to move to the camp. She described how the community has tried to protect itself through vigilantes, but the lack of food has led many to resort to begging or odd jobs.
Sowing Seeds of Fear on the Frontline
Gurnowa, located in Borno State, has been deserted for years due to jihadist attacks. Residents have sought refuge in makeshift camps under military protection. According to the UN, violence in the region has resulted in over 40,000 deaths and displaced more than two million people in the last 16 years.
Samuel Malik emphasized that the Nigerian state’s failure to provide security and basic governance to rural populations is a key driver of the crisis. Without safety, displaced persons cannot return to their farmlands, cutting them off from their primary means of livelihood. In this context, hunger is not just a byproduct of war, but also of systemic neglect.
Challenges Across Regions
While Boko Haram threatens the northeast, banditry and farmer-herder clashes plague the northwest and north-central regions. Rural economies are struggling, with crop farmers unable to sustain their livelihoods. The price of staples has surged, adding to the financial strain on communities.
Call for Farmers to Return
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged displaced people to return to their farms in time for the rainy season to grow food. Local governments argue that displacement camps are no longer sustainable, but aid agencies remain concerned about the risks of jihadist violence.
Some displaced individuals have expressed feelings of being better off joining Boko Haram, despite government promises to reward those who leave the group. Local governments are cautious about supporting ex-jihadists over victims of their violence.
Risks of Returning to Farms
At the Ramin Kura displacement camp, 19-year-old Sha’afa Usman shared her experience of trying to plant crops. She explained that villagers now require security escorts or vigilantes to access their farms, as kidnappings are common. Her husband was kidnapped from Turba village and remains in captivity.
According to Malik, farming still occurs in jihadist-controlled areas, but it is often conducted under coercive arrangements dictated by non-state actors. Survival often depends on entering exploitative agreements with armed groups, which may involve paying levies or providing forced labor.
Jihadist groups also engage in subsistence farming, supported by income from raids and ransoms. As a result, many villagers avoid going to their farms due to the risk of kidnapping and the inability to afford ransom payments.
Conclusion
The hunger crisis in northern Nigeria is a complex issue rooted in poor governance, insecurity, and shrinking aid funds. The situation demands urgent action from both the government and international community to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the support they need. Without intervention, the cycle of poverty and conflict will continue to deepen, threatening the stability and future of the region.
