The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that about 34.7 million Nigerians, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), could face acute food insecurity by June 2026 if urgent action is not taken.

The warning is contained in the October 2025 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Food and Nutrition Insecurity Analysis, jointly released by the FAO and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS).

The report, presented on Friday in Abuja, showed that about 650,730 persons in Borno, Sokoto and Zamfara States may experience crisis (CH Phase 3) or worse between June and August 2026.

It further revealed that about 27.2 million people, including IDPs, are already facing crisis or worse food insecurity levels across 27 states and the FCT.

The analysis stated that in Borno, six local government areas are likely to experience an emergency, while food insecurity in Adamawa and Yobe States may deteriorate further.

It also noted that some households managed acceptable food consumption levels, but over 55 per cent did so by reducing meal quality or borrowing to purchase food.

Speaking at the event, Marcus Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening resilience and promoting coordinated action on food security.

“Together, let us continue to strengthen frameworks that will support Nigerians towards achieving zero hunger and food sufficiency,” Mr Ogunbiyi said.

Also speaking, the FAO Representative in Nigeria, Hussein Gadain, identified insecurity, insurgency, banditry, flooding, and climate-related challenges as major causes of food insecurity in the country.

He added that the high cost of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, seeds and energy continued to threaten future production despite a recent decline in food prices.

Mr Gadain called on partners in the Food Security Sector and Nutrition Cluster to intensify support for data collection and analysis in affected regions.

“This October cycle covered 27 states and the FCT, an increase from 26 in March. However, nine states remain outside the Cadre Harmonisé process,” he said.

He commended Ekiti State for independently joining and supporting data collection, calling it a strong example of state-level commitment to addressing food insecurity.

“Flooding and other climate events have devastated croplands, compounding risks for affected communities. The CH analysis remains our most relevant early warning tool,” Mr Gadain added.

According to him, the analysis guides humanitarian programming, food security responses and development planning at national and sub-national levels.

Analysts recommended sustained humanitarian assistance, increased investment in climate-smart agriculture, promotion of agribusiness, and early integration of the Cadre Harmonisé analysis into policy and planning to address food security gaps.

The Cadre Harmonisé is a biannual, government-led assessment of food and nutrition insecurity in Nigeria. It is supported by the FAO, other United Nations agencies, and international and national NGOs.

It provides a unified framework for assessing current and projected food security situations and identifying vulnerable populations to inform evidence-based policymaking and guide timely interventions.

The initiative currently covers the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. 

(NAN)