An estimated 33.5 million Nigerians, including internally displaced persons in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, are projected to face a food and nutrition crisis or even more severe conditions between June and August 2027.
Latest report of the Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Results Presentation and Release Workshop revealed this figure in Abuja on Friday.
The report also stated that 26.8 million people, including internally displaced persons in 26 states and the FCT, were currently in food and nutrition crisis from October to December 2026.
The report was put together by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), participating states and other donor agencies.
“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 further stated.
It identified key drivers of the crisis to include conflict and insecurity disrupting livelihoods resulting to high level of displacements and vulnerabilities.
Other drivers include high price of fuel disrupting food production and distribution system, climate shocks affecting crop yields, agricultural productivity and overall food availability.
The report stated that high food inflation was also “limiting access to food.”
Food and Agriculture Organisation representative in Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr Hussein Gadain, who spoke during the presentation, said the Cadre Harmonisé is a government-led process, with partners playing a supportive role, and this ownership is fundamental to its credibility, relevance and long-term sustainability.
Gadain, who was represented by the Senior Programme Officer in the Office of Emergency and Resilience, Mr Jimmy Owani, said Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and one of the continent’s largest agricultural economies, had enormous potential to achieve food and nutrition security and drive agrifood transformation.
He stated, “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.
“The analysis presented today provides nationally generated evidence to help the government and its partners anticipate these pressures, protect vulnerable livelihoods and direct investments to areas where they can have the greatest impact.”
