Child Malnutrition Cases Surge in Northern Nigeria

In 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) reported a significant increase in child malnutrition cases, with 185,502 more children treated for acute malnutrition across seven northern states in Nigeria compared to the previous two years. The affected states include Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Bauchi, Borno, and Sokoto.

The organization attributed the worsening nutrition crisis to factors such as conflict, displacement, and a decline in humanitarian funding, particularly after the US under President Donald Trump discontinued funding for major health initiatives globally. In total, MSF treated 425,634 children for acute malnutrition in 2025, marking a 41.8% increase from 2024.

The report indicated that over 5.4 million children nationwide are suffering from acute malnutrition, with MSF operating multiple therapeutic feeding centers across the affected states. The psychological burden of malnutrition on caregivers, primarily mothers, was also highlighted, as they often spend extended periods at treatment centers.