Critical Nutrition Crisis: 1 Million Children at Risk of Severe Acute Malnutrition in Nigeria’s Northeast. Lagos, Nigeria — April 21, 2026 — The humanitarian situation in Nigeria’s northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) has escalated to a critical point, with an estimated 1 million children under the age of five facing the threat of life-threatening Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in 2026.
The Nutrition Information Working Group (NIWG) reports that approximately 5. 8 million people in these states are expected to suffer from acute food insecurity during the upcoming lean season, which runs from May to September 2025.
The situation is particularly concerning for pregnant and breastfeeding women, with 786,000 in the Northeast, Northwest, and North Central regions of Nigeria at risk of acute malnutrition through September 2026.
The BAY states are home to multiple Local Government Areas (LGAs) classified under IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical), with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rates ranging between 15% and 29. 9%.
The combined impact of conflict, displacement, and environmental challenges has driven the nutrition situation to a critical juncture.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Nigeria Situation Reports and the IPC Acute Malnutrition analyses underscore the complex interplay of conflict, economic factors, and humanitarian funding gaps contributing to this crisis. Efforts to combat the crisis include the distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) and specialized milks for children, as well as interventions aimed at improving Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN).
The World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the Nigerian government and the international community, is actively working to address the root causes of the nutrition crisis.
The urgency of the situation demands immediate and effective action to provide critical support to the most vulnerable populations and to develop sustainable solutions to prevent future nutrition crises.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
—
By This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Action Against Hunger
