An Impending Humanitarian Crisis
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has raised an alarm over a potential food disaster, warning that 33 million Nigerians could be pushed into starvation by 2026.
The warning, issued in Abuja during the unveiling of the NRCS Nutrition Advocacy Plan, highlights the extent to which hunger is already affecting the nation.
Dr Abubakar Kende, Secretary‑General of the society, revealed that a toxic mix of inflation, climate shocks, insecurity in farming regions, and weak healthcare systems is fueling the crisis.
He cautioned that unless Nigeria embarks on urgent interventions, it could face one of the worst hunger emergencies in its history.
Other Projections
The projection of 33 million Nigerians at risk of starvation in 2026 is broadly in tandem with independent international assessments, which actually estimate an even higher figure of about 34.7 million people.
The Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Food Security Analysis, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and other partners, projects that 34.7 million Nigerians across 27 states and the FCT will face food insecurity between June and August 2026.
This includes 650,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict-affected states like Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
In late 2025, 27.2 million Nigerians are already food insecure, indicating that the crisis is worsening, even as conflict and insecurity in the northeast (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) continue to disrupt farming and food distribution.
Inflation and high food prices are eroding household purchasing power, while climate shocks, such as floods and droughts, reduce agricultural yields. Population growth adds pressure to already-strained food systems.
Roots of Hunger
Investigations by TheDigger Intelligence Unit reveal that conflict in food-producing states has displaced thousands of farmers, disrupting supply chains.
At the same time, floods and droughts between 2024 and 2025 have destroyed crops across the Middle Belt and Northern regions.
Food inflation has surged to record highs, with staples like rice and maize rising above 40% in 2025, making them unaffordable for low‑income households, as a deficiency in healthcare implies malnutrition is going untreated, especially among children under five.
These findings align with the Red Cross’s projections, which paint a grim picture of systemic failure across agriculture, health, and governance.
Nutrition Advocacy Plan
To mitigate the effects of the looming food emergency, the NRCS plan proposes direct food aid to vulnerable households, support for smallholder farmers through improved seeds, irrigation, and training, expansion of healthcare access to treat malnutrition, as well as public awareness campaigns to mobilise donations and community action.
At the event, philanthropist Ambassador Layla Ali Othman was appointed as the society’s Nutrition Ambassador, tasked with rallying support for the anti-hunger campaign.
Implications of Starvation for Nigeria
Should this warning be ignored, the implications are staggering, meaning millions of children could suffer stunted growth and higher mortality rates.
Hunger would negatively impact productivity, exacerbate poverty, and further fuel inflation.
Analysts warn that starvation will lead to a political crisis, as food riots, protests, and a loss of public trust in the government could destabilise governance.
The situation will exacerbate insecurity, as desperation could fuel recruitment into insurgent groups and intensify communal conflicts.
Expert’s Warnings
Dr Kende emphasised that, “Without decisive action, millions of households will be pushed into extreme hunger, with children and vulnerable groups most at risk.”
But Ambassador Othman pledged to use her influence to mobilise resources, saying, “Together, we can ensure that no Nigerian child goes to bed hungry.”
Government Efforts
The Nigerian government has rolled out numerous programmes aimed at supporting farmers, as well as youth agribusiness campaigns, eco-friendly farming initiatives, and broader agricultural reforms to increase food availability.
Other initiatives by the government comprise Anchor Borrowers Programme, and National Agricultural Development Fund
However, systemic challenges, comprising conflict, climate change, and inflation, threaten to overwhelm these efforts.
Call to Action
It is a call to action as the Red Cross sounds an alarm over food insecurity. With 33 million lives at stake, all hands must be on deck to combat the looming crisis, which will require government ministries, NGOs, and the private sector to rise to the occasion and not just gloss over the warnings from the Red Cross.