A situation Report by the World Food Programme (WFP) Nigeria Situation Report, has revealed that millions of Nigerians face hunger and malnutrition despite the passage of the Right to Food Act in 2023, which mandates the government to ensure food security
In 2024 alone, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) stated that it treated over 300,000 children for malnutrition, a 25 per cent increase from 2023.
Of these, 75,000 required critical inpatient care, while 250,000 were managed through outpatient programmes across seven states: Borno, Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
MSF country representative, Dr Simba Tirima said: “Without an adequate supply of therapeutic foods, we will struggle to effectively treat malnourished children, which could lead to preventable fatalities.”
MSF explained that it had begun stockpiling supplies before the peak malnutrition season, particularly in Bauchi State, which operates a 250-bed inpatient facility and three outpatient feeding centres, assuring that the organisation remains concerned that decreased funding for other humanitarian agencies could further strain its response capacity.
Tirima further explained, “Authorities and partners must take greater action to address the malnutrition crisis.”