Millions at Risk as Lean Season Approaches

The United Nations has warned that about 35 million Nigerians could face acute hunger between June and August 2026, as worsening food insecurity grips parts of the country ahead of the annual lean season.

In a statement issued by the UN Humanitarian Country Team, the organisation described the situation as a “deepening hunger crisis,” warning that nearly one in seven people in Nigeria may struggle to access sufficient food in the coming months.

The UN said the burden of the crisis is falling most heavily on communities in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-east and North-west regions already affected by conflict, displacement, inflation and climate-related shocks.

“Nearly one in seven people, that is 35 million people nationwide in Nigeria, are likely to face acute food insecurity during this year’s lean season, which runs from June to August,” the statement said.

The organisation warned that delays in humanitarian assistance could push vulnerable households deeper into crisis.

“If assistance is further delayed, millions of families will be forced to further reduce meals, sell assets or withdraw their children from school with the long-term impact that we know that has.”

Children Most Vulnerable

According to the UN, an estimated 6.4 million children across North-east and North-west Nigeria are expected to suffer acute malnutrition this year.

Humanitarian agencies are now appealing for urgent donor support to scale up emergency food and nutrition interventions before conditions worsen.

The UN noted that the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Nigeria — already reduced to priority interventions — remains significantly underfunded.

Of the 516 million dollars required for humanitarian operations this year, only 215 million dollars had been received as of May 2026, representing just over 40 per cent of the target.

Growing Pressure on Humanitarian Response

Aid agencies say rising food prices, insecurity affecting farming communities, climate shocks and economic hardship continue to compound the crisis across vulnerable regions.

The lean season in Nigeria typically occurs between planting and harvest periods, when household food stocks become depleted and dependence on market purchases increases sharply.

Humanitarian partners warned that without immediate funding and expanded assistance, millions of families could face deteriorating living conditions in the months ahead.