Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – A new global report has sounded the alarm on worsening hunger, revealing that Nigeria is among just 10 countries bearing the brunt of a deepening food crisis affecting hundreds of millions worldwide.
According to the 2026 Global Report on Food Crises, published by the Global Network Against Food Crises, more than 266 million people across 47 countries faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025 — nearly double the proportion recorded in 2016.
The report identifies Nigeria alongside Afghanistan, Sudan and Yemen as countries accounting for two-thirds of those affected.
“This is no longer a temporary emergency — it is a structural crisis,” said Qu Dongyu, head of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Conflict remains the single biggest driver, responsible for more than half of all severe hunger cases, while climate shocks, economic instability and forced displacement continue to compound the crisis.
Children are among the hardest hit, with 35.5 million acutely malnourished globally, including nearly 10 million suffering from severe wasting — a life-threatening condition, according to UNICEF.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the findings as a “call to action,” urging governments to scale up investment in food systems and conflict resolution.
The report also highlights that more than 85 million people were displaced in food crisis zones, intensifying hunger levels among already vulnerable populations.
Despite the scale of need, funding for humanitarian aid is declining — raising fears that the crisis could worsen in 2026, particularly amid global market disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions.
Experts warn that without urgent intervention, the world risks entering a prolonged cycle where hunger becomes a permanent feature of global instability.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Hussaini Ibrahim 