FAO, WFP warn of nutrition crisis as Nigeria ranked among hunger hotspots

A new joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) has identified Nigeria as one of 13 hunger hotspots around the World that require urgent attention to save lives and livelihoods.

The report warns that people in these areas face extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless there is urgent humanitarian action and a coordinated international effort to de-escalate conflict, stem displacement, and mount an urgent full-scale aid response.

The Hunger Hotspots Report highlights that Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali are hotspots of highest concern, with communities already facing famine at risk of famine or confronted with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity.

Nigeria, along with Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar, is classified as a hotspot of very high concern.

QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General emphasised that hunger is not a distant threat but a daily emergency for millions.

“We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods,” he said.

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Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, added that urgent and sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial as the window to avert yet more devastating hunger is closing fast.

The report notes that in Nigeria, millions of people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity due to conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards. The situation is further exacerbated by restricted humanitarian access and critical funding shortfalls.

The FAO and WFP warn that without immediate action, the situation in these hotspots will continue to deteriorate, leading to more deaths, displacement and suffering. The report calls for global solidarity and continued investments in early humanitarian action to prevent and address food crises.

The Hunger Hotspots Report is part of a suite of analytical products produced under the Global Network Against Food Crises to enhance and coordinate the generation and sharing of evidence-based information and analysis for preventing and addressing food crises.

The report’s findings are a reminder of the need for urgent action to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition. As the situation continues to worsen in these hotspots, the international community must come together to provide support and assistance to those in need.

The FAO and WFP are working tirelessly to respond to the hunger crisis, but they need more funding and access to affected areas to save lives. The international community must act now to prevent further suffering and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food and a chance to rebuild their lives.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.