Over 2 Million Nigerian Children Suffer from Severe Malnutrition

Nigeria is in the grip of a severe malnutrition crisis. According to UNICEF, over 2 million children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Despite some progress—such as a decline in child food poverty from in 2022, treatment gaps and rising need continue to threaten children’s lives. Only 20% of affected children currently receive life-saving care.

The crisis is most severe in the northern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, where stunting rates approach 50%. Nationwide, 32% of children under five are stunted due to chronic undernutrition, which impairs physical and mental development and undermines long-term productivity.

Several factors are fueling the emergency such as rising food insecurity affecting over 31.8 million Nigerians, food inflation and a deepening cost-of-living crisis.

Armed conflict particularly in the northeast has displaced millions, while climate shocks like floods and droughts continue to disrupt agriculture.