On 23 July 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed it would halt emergency food and nutrition aid in northeastern Nigeria due to severe funding shortages.
As a result, final food distributions began earlier this month across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. WFP supported 1.3 million people in the first half of 2025.
However, without $130 million (approximately R 2.28 billion) in urgent donor support, operations will cease. This development signals a dangerous escalation in Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
RECORD HUNGER AND ESCALATING VIOLENCE
According to the June 2025 Cadre Harmonisé, 30.6 million Nigerians face acute food insecurity, the highest figure on record. At the same time, violence by non-state armed groups has displaced 2.3 million people in the northeast.
Consequently, insecurity continues to block access to farmland, markets, and food aid. The WFP warns that hunger could push vulnerable populations towards migration or extremist recruitment.
Without swift action, Nigeria’s food aid crisis of 2025 will deepen insecurity across the Lake Chad Basin.
CHILDREN AT RISK AS CLINICS CLOSE
Due to the funding gap, over 150 WFP-supported nutrition centres in Borno and Yobe are expected to close by August. These clinics currently serve more than 300 000 children under the age of two who suffer from wasting and malnutrition.
WFP Nigeria Country Director David Stevenson stated the situation poses a growing threat to regional stability.
As these clinics shut down, pregnant women and infants will lose access to life-saving care. Clearly, child survival is now severely at risk.
CALL FOR URGENT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
WFP urgently calls on donors to provide $130 million (approximately R 2.28 billion) to sustain operations through December 2025. Although the organisation has the infrastructure to expand assistance, financial shortages prevent it from proceeding.
Humanitarian agencies stress that food aid mitigates forced displacement and radicalisation. Moreover, they warn that delayed contributions will cause irreversible consequences.
Therefore, immediate international support is essential to prevent a total collapse of Nigeria’s food aid response and protect millions at risk.
WILL FUNDING DELAYS WORSEN THE NIGERIAN FOOD AID CRISIS IN 2025?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
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