From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Save the Children International has raised the alarm over the looming hunger crisis in Nigeria, predicting that approximately 33 million persons will face food insecurity and malnutrition next year due to worsening economic conditions, insecurity, and severe flooding.

The organization’s Country Director, Duncan Harvey, highlighted the rapid increase in hunger levels across Nigeria, noting that the proportion of the Nigerian population suffering from hunger has more than doubled, from about 7% in 2020 to 15% currently.

“The situation is especially dire in the northwest and northeast regions, where displacement and disrupted livelihoods are being driven by persistent conflict and insecurity,” Harvey said in a statement. He explained that during the 2024 lean season, about 31.8 million people were estimated to be facing crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity.

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According to Harvey, the outlook for 2024 is grim, with projections indicating that 33 million Nigerians may struggle to find their next meal, including over 16 million children. He attributed this crisis to “catastrophic climate disasters, escalating insecurity, and soaring prices,” all of which contribute to the widespread hunger that poses a severe risk to Nigerian children.

To counter this trend, Harvey urged the government to take immediate action, including addressing food shortages, stabilizing prices, and enhancing security measures for farmers threatened by violence from armed groups. He also emphasized the importance of preparing communities for climate-induced disasters by building resilience and improving early-warning systems.

“Urgent action is essential to combat this devastating and unacceptable trend of child hunger and malnutrition and to ensure a brighter future for Nigeria’s children,” he stressed.

The statement from Save the Children calls for coordinated efforts to tackle food insecurity and climate-related issues, advocating for policies that protect vulnerable populations and support sustainable food systems across the country.