The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has raised the alarm over worsening hunger, poverty, and insecurity in Nigeria, stating that an estimated 31 million people are food insecure, with over 10 million children under five years old acutely malnourished, and 3.5 million face severe malnourishment.
 
This was made known at a joint meeting by the Federal Government and the UNOCHA to commemorate the 2025 World Humanitarian Day, themed ‘Strengthening global solidarity and empowering local communities’, yesterday, in Abuja.
   
The global agency insisted that urgent measures are needed to halt the worsening trend. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, pointed out that this year’s commemoration occurs amid a significant decline in global solidarity for people in humanitarian need, with international humanitarian financing severely collapsing. 
 
“In Nigeria, humanitarian needs are escalating, characterised by rising food insecurity and malnutrition.
“Currently, it is estimated that 31 million people are food insecure, over 10 million children under five are acutely malnourished, and 3.5 million face severe malnourishment,” he said.

Fall observed that the humanitarian community faces unprecedented challenges, with international humanitarian law often disregarded and a growing trend towards self-interest undermining multilateralism.
 
Noting the importance of aid workers to the humanitarian sector, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Tanko Sununu, stressed that humanitarian operations must become more efficient, accountable, and transparent.He said the Nigerian government recognises the importance of connecting humanitarian efforts with development and peace initiatives.
 
Also, Head of Office, UNOCHA, Trond Jensen, said in Nigeria, humanitarian needs are increasing, with food insecurity and malnutrition an unfolding disaster.