An estimated 33.5 million Nigerians, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are projected to face food and nutrition crises or more severe conditions between June and August 2027.
The projection is contained in the latest Cadre Harmonisé report, presented at a results presentation and release workshop in Abuja.
The report also revealed that 26.8 million people, including internally displaced persons in 26 states and the FCT, were already experiencing food and nutrition crises between October and December 2026.
The assessment was conducted by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), participating state governments and other development partners.
According to the report, declining household food stocks, rising food prices, reduced purchasing power and disrupted livelihoods are expected to worsen food consumption pressures between June and August 2027.
“During June to August 2027, declining household food stocks, high food prices, reduced purchasing power and disrupted livelihoods are expected to increase food consumption pressures. Timely food assistance, targeted cash transfers and livelihood support will be essential to limit further deterioration,” the report stated.
The assessment identified conflict and insecurity as major drivers of the crisis, noting that they continued to disrupt livelihoods and contribute to widespread displacement and vulnerability.
Other factors highlighted include high fuel prices, which have disrupted food production and distribution systems, as well as climate-related shocks affecting crop yields, agricultural productivity and overall food availability.
The report also identified high food inflation as a major obstacle to access to food, particularly for vulnerable households.
FAO Highlights Nigeria’s Food Security Challenges
Speaking at the presentation in Abuja, the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr Hussein Gadain, described the Cadre Harmonisé as a government-led process in which development partners play a supportive role.
Gadain, represented by the Senior Programme Officer in the Office of Emergency and Resilience, Jimmy Owani, said government ownership was fundamental to the credibility, relevance and long-term sustainability of the assessment.
He noted that Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s largest agricultural economies, had significant potential to achieve food and nutrition security and drive transformation across its agricultural sector.
However, he said the country’s agrifood systems continued to face complex challenges arising from insecurity, climate-related shocks, economic pressures, environmental degradation and population displacement.
“At the same time, Nigeria’s agrifood systems continue to operate in a complex environment shaped by insecurity, climate-related shocks, economic pressures, environmental degradation and population displacement,” he said.
Gadain added that the latest assessment provided nationally generated evidence to help the government and its partners anticipate emerging challenges, protect vulnerable livelihoods and direct investments to areas where they could have the greatest impact.
The report emphasised the need for timely food assistance, targeted financial support and livelihood interventions to prevent further deterioration in food and nutrition security across affected communities.
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