Nigeria is expected to face one of the fastest-growing food insecurity challenges in the world in 2026, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released on April 24, 2026.
The report, prepared by international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), raised concerns that hunger levels are increasing due to insecurity, economic hardship, and a drop in humanitarian support.
According to the FAO, about 4.1 million more Nigerians could fall into serious food shortages in 2026. This would place the country among those with the highest increase in food insecurity globally.
Reacting to the findings, the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Alvaro Lario, said the crisis is becoming more prolonged and difficult to manage. He explained that the situation is no longer driven by short-term problems but by ongoing challenges that continue to affect people over time, putting pressure on global stability.
The report also showed that about 266 million people across 47 countries are already facing severe hunger in 2025, and the situation is expected to remain critical into 2026.
In Nigeria, the growing food crisis is being worsened by insecurity in major farming areas, rising inflation, and limited access to affordable food.
FAO projections indicate that more than 34 million Nigerians could face crisis-level hunger between June and August 2026, which is usually the peak of the lean season.
The FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Hussein Gadain, said the combined effects of armed conflict, climate-related issues, high food prices, and reduced global aid are pushing more Nigerians into hunger.
The report called for urgent and continuous action, warning that without immediate intervention, millions more people could fall into emergency levels of food insecurity in the coming months.