FAO Estimates 36.3 Million Nigerians Faced Acute Food Insecurity in 2026 Lean Season

Nigeria’s food crisis has spread beyond the conflict-affected north-east, with insecurity, high food and transport costs, climate shocks and weak household purchasing power worsening hunger nationwide. The latest FAO country brief estimates that nearly 36.3 million people faced acute food insecurity between June and August 2026. The estimate includes about 2.1 million people in Emergency conditions and roughly 10,300 in Catastrophe conditions. FAO notes that food-security figures can change between assessment rounds as coverage, data access and forecasts are updated. The north-east remains especially vulnerable, but violence, rising farm-input costs, floods, displacement and unaffordable staples are also affecting households across other parts of the country. Targeted food or cash support, safer access to farms, lower production costs and stronger nutrition services are needed alongside long-term investment in agriculture and livelihoods.

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