The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a dire warning that over 400,000 Nigerian children may die from severe acute malnutrition if immediate action is not taken to prevent a looming stockout of life-saving nutrition supplies by September 1, 2025.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Field Operations and Emergencies, Judith Leveille, made this known on Tuesday during a joint press briefing in Abuja, highlighting the growing nutrition crisis in the country—particularly in the North-East, North-West, and crisis-hit Benue State.
“We are just one month and eight days away from running out of essential therapeutic food supplies,” Leveille warned. “That means over 400,000 children are at risk of preventable death. Among them may be future scientists, artists, or leaders—this is a crisis Nigeria cannot afford to ignore.”
Currently, 3.5 million children across the country are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, a condition that severely weakens a child’s immune system, making them highly vulnerable to illness and death.
Nutrition Facilities Overwhelmed
Leveille described a recent visit to stabilisation centres where more than 100 children urgently needed medical attention. She noted that facilities are already overstretched, and Nigeria has not yet reached the peak of the lean season—expected to worsen the crisis in the coming weeks.
“We saw children like little Memunah and Aisha, desperately needing treatment, supported by dedicated Nigerian and international medical teams. But without adequate supplies and personnel, their efforts may not be enough,” she stated.
INGOs Sound Alarm Over Funding Shortfalls
Camilla Higgins, Director of the Nigeria INGO Forum, echoed the concern, emphasizing that funding cuts—especially from major donors like the United States—have deeply strained humanitarian response capacities.
“The number of malnourished children equals the capacity of Abuja’s national stadium filled 60 times. Yet resources are shrinking,” Higgins said. “In some areas, admissions for severe malnutrition have surged by up to 73%, and for the first time, even adults are visibly affected.”
She called on the Nigerian government to lead a coordinated national response, pledging that international NGOs were ready to support efforts through collaboration and technical assistance.
MSF Reports Overwhelming Cases
Also speaking at the briefing, Bilal Ahmad, Head of Mission for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), shared alarming reports from field sites in Sokoto, Katsina, and other northern states. According to Ahmad, hospitals are seeing a dramatic spike in malnutrition-related admissions, forcing them to double bed space and care for two children per bed.
“We’re witnessing a crisis we expected months from now, but it’s already here,” he said. “Mortality rates in some areas range from 3.7% to 7.7%. Many children arrive after travelling long distances—too late to survive.”
He appealed for more therapeutic feeding centres, a boost in ready-to-use therapeutic foods, and logistical support to bring life-saving interventions closer to remote communities.
Government Reaffirms Commitment
In response, Dr Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening international collaboration and transparency in humanitarian aid.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is prioritizing systems that restore donor confidence and improve humanitarian governance,” Sununu stated. “We must work collectively to ensure that no Nigerian child dies from a preventable cause like malnutrition.”
As Nigeria faces what experts now describe as a full-blown nutrition emergency, stakeholders are calling for urgent funding, supplies, and government leadership to avert an escalating humanitarian disaster.
