(Ecofin Agency) - Nigeria is facing the aftermath of devastating floods this year. FAO reported that these floods have destroyed infrastructure, caused mass displacement, and led to agricultural losses estimated at 855,629 tons.

Nigeria is facing a severe food crisis that could leave 33 million people struggling with food insecurity by the second half of 2025. The World Food Program (WFP), working with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNICEF, issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday, November 12, to address this growing emergency.

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"5 million people in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe face acute food insecurity."

WFP's Chi Lael, briefed the press at @UNGeneva.
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— WFP Media (@WFP_Media) November 12, 2024

Several factors have contributed to this crisis, according to the WFP. High inflation, extreme climate shocks, and a 15-year-long armed conflict in northeastern Nigeria have intensified the country’s food insecurity. Right now, 25 million Nigerians need immediate assistance, with 5 million of them living in the hardest-hit states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. Vulnerable groups are especially at risk, with 5.4 million children and 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women facing acute malnutrition. Among them, 1.8 million are at risk of severe malnutrition requiring urgent treatment.

As Chi Lael, WFP’s spokesperson in Nigeria, said, “Never before have there been so many people in Nigeria without food.” This year’s devastating floods have worsened the crisis. They caused massive displacement, infrastructure damage, and agricultural losses estimated at 855,629 tons, according to the FAO. The situation is especially critical because 47% of Nigeria’s population lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 a day, and inflation reached 32.7% in September 2024.

The UN agencies are calling for a large-scale response to prevent a humanitarian disaster. Lael stressed the need for a combined effort focused on prevention and life-saving assistance. She highlighted that support for vulnerable farmers—through funds, seeds, and fertilizers—alongside nutrition, health, and sanitation programs is essential to reduce the crisis’s impact.

The Nigerian government has recently announced a plan to invest 5,400 billion nairas (about $3.2 billion), funded by savings from subsidy cuts, to improve infrastructure and fund social programs aimed at supporting the population during this challenging time.