16.99 Million Nigerians to Face Hunger Crisis by 2027

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) projects that by January 2027, between 16.0 million and 16.99 million Nigerians will experience acute hunger. This forecast, detailed in FEWS NET’s Food Assistance Outlook Brief for July 2026, indicates a decline from the current estimate of 20.0 million to 20.99 million.

However, this number is still higher than the figures recorded in January 2026 and exceeds the country’s five-year average. Nigeria ranks fourth globally in terms of the number of people facing hunger, following Sudan, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The report attributes the hunger crisis to ongoing conflicts that disrupt livelihoods and restrict agricultural activities, particularly in northern Nigeria. Despite the anticipated completion of the main harvest in December, high food prices are expected to persist due to production disruptions.

The hardest-hit communities in the North-East are projected to remain in an "Emergency" state, indicating severe food insecurity.