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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Save the Children International, an international not-for-profit organisation, has predicted a devastating public health crisis for six states in northern Nigeria, namely, Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara, before the end of 2025.
At a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, the organisation alongside other partners, including PLAN, Action Against Hunger, OXFAM and other partners, raised the alarm about the growing cases of acute malnutrition in the six states, stressing that the situation could be catastrophic in a few months’ time if an urgent steps were not taken by the states to correct the situation.
Duncan Harvey, the Country Director of the organisation, specifically told journalists at the press conference that without urgent access to lifesaving treatment, the states could lose 96, 000 children to death between October and December 2025, due to acute malnutrition. “This is over 1, 000 children dying every day. Nigeria is facing a nationwide emergency due to escalating challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition; with more than 31 million people facing acute food insecurity in 2025, making it the largest food crisis globally.
“5.4 million Nigerian children suffer from acute malnutrition, 3.5 million children under five suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), out of which 1.2 million require immediate life-saving treatment.
“It’s predicted that from October to December 2025, an estimated 600,000 children under the age of five will be at risk of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in the six northern states. Over 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are also at the risk of acute malnutrition in these states.
“It is for situation such as this that the African Union Heads of State and Government in 2010, at the 15th Ordinary Session in Kampala, Uganda, addressing the persistent crisis of hunger and malnutrition on the continent, declared October 30 of every year as Africa Food Security and Nutrition Day.
“Hunger is not just a risk, it’s a crisis of rights. Food security and nutrition must be treated as non-negotiable for child survival, growth and future productivity. No child should die from any preventable cause, such as hunger, malnutrition or illness,” he stated.
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Thierno Samba Diallo, Country Director, Action Against Hunger Nigeria, suggested that funds be made available for lifesaving nutrition commodities like Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTP) and Therapeutic Milk locally produced and proven to save lives; long-term funding and nexus approaches linking humanitarian, peace and development efforts, are essential for sustained nutrition, security and development.
He added: “Severe malnutrition has irreversible impacts on physical growth, cognitive development and economic productivity, critical to national human capital. Hence, all hands should be on deck to prevent it.
“There’s the need to expand targeted support for the 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of acute malnutrition to the lives of the vulnerable children. Adopt shock-responsive social safety nets to protect vulnerable households from future crises
“There is also the need to scale up food assistance, nutrition treatment and livelihood support. Support local production of fortified foods to ensure sustainability, strengthen collaboration on cadre harmonisation and integrate phase classification analysis to inform response strategies.”
Dr. Helen Idiong, Director of Programme, Quality and Influencing, PLAN International, in her remarks, appealed that the affected states join efforts with other relevant stakeholders to tackle the malnutrition and give lifesaving opportunities to affected families and communities.
“Hunger is not just a lack of food; it’s a violation of dignity, health and the right to the future. Food and nutrition security must be treated as a non-negotiable right. We urge federal leaders, state governors, and international partners to act now. No child should die from malnutrition, hunger or illness. These are preventable, treatable and solvable.
“No child should die of hunger, not today, not tomorrow, not ever,” he submitted.
