Cadre Harmonisé warns over 34 million Nigerians may face severe food insecurity in 2026 due to conflict, climate shocks, and economic pressures
Nigeria is bracing for a severe food and nutrition crisis, with no fewer than 34.7 million people across 27 states and the FCT at risk between June and August 2026, according to the latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH) report.
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The report, presented in Abuja, also revealed that about 27.2 million Nigerians, including over 485,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), are already experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity from October to December 2025.
Key Findings:
- High food prices, especially for vegetable oil, meat, dairy, and condiments, have risen over 35%, driven by the volatile naira-dollar exchange rate and transport costs.
- Northern states, particularly North-East, North-West, and parts of North-Central Nigeria, are most affected due to insecurity, limited access to farmland, and weak rural economies.
- Malnutrition levels are critical in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Katsina, and Jigawa, with some areas entering emergency phases of acute malnutrition.
- Fertilizer and agrochemical costs increased by about 56%, discouraging farmers from participating in dry-season farming.
Drivers of Food Insecurity:
1. Insecurity, including insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings.
2. Climate shocks like floods and prolonged droughts.
3. Displacement due to conflict and disasters.
4. Adverse effects of government food imports on local production.
Officials emphasized that these findings are a wake-up call, calling for urgent, coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions to mitigate the crisis.
Programs such as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and National Food Security and Nutrition Emergency Plan will use the CH data to guide their efforts.
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FAO Representative Dr. Hussein Gadain highlighted the Cadre Harmonisé as a critical early-warning tool and urged states to participate fully in the next CH cycle for comprehensive national coverage.
