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United Nations Raises Alarm Over Severe Hunger Crisis Set To Hit Nigeria In 2026
The UN warned that the insurgency across northern Nigeria is pushing hunger to unprecedented levels and threatening regional stability.
In a statement released by the WFP on Tuesday, it quoted the latest Cadre Harmonize, which shows that nearly 35 million Nigerians are projected to face severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, marking the highest number ever recorded in the country.
In northern Nigeria, the lean season typically runs from June to August.
This is the period immediately preceding the main harvest, when food stocks from the previous harvest are dwindling, prices are high, and many households face food insecurity.
In war-torn zones, insecurity caused by insurgent attacks prevents farmers from planting, tending, or harvesting crops safely.
The surge in attacks by armed groups has intensified throughout 2025. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, reportedly carried out its first attack in Nigeria last month, while the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) continues to expand across the Sahel.
“Communities are under severe pressure from repeated attacks and economic stress,” said WFP Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, David Stevenson.
He added, “If we can’t keep families fed and food insecurity at bay, growing desperation could fuel increased instability, with insurgent groups exploiting hunger to expand their influence, creating a security threat that extends across West Africa and beyond.”
Rural farming communities in northern Nigeria are the hardest hit.
Nearly six million people in conflict zones across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states are expected to face crisis-level hunger or worse during the 2026 lean season from June to August.
Borno State alone could see about 15,000 people confronting catastrophic hunger, equivalent to famine-like conditions. Children in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara remain particularly vulnerable, with malnutrition rates reaching alarming levels
The crisis is exacerbated by severe funding shortfalls that limit WFP’s capacity to deliver lifesaving assistance.
Nearly one million people in the northeast depend on WFP’s food and nutrition programs, yet scaling down in July affected over 300,000 children. In areas where clinics closed, malnutrition levels worsened from “serious” to “critical” in the third quarter of the year.
Despite the growing need, WFP warns it will run out of resources for emergency food and nutrition assistance by December.
Without urgent funding, millions will face hunger in 2026, deepening the crisis and heightening the risk of further instability in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
Stevenson emphasised the urgency, “This is not just a humanitarian issue, it is a security issue that requires immediate global attention. Millions of lives are at stake, and action must be taken now to prevent further catastrophe.”
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of a 13th-month pension bonus to all pensioners in the state, as well as a one-off welfare support of N10,000 in November 2026.
Speaking at the Ibom Hall grounds in Uyo on Friday, during the presentation of a merit award by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners and an endorsement of his second-term bid, Eno said pensioners deserved to rest well after their meritorious service to the state.
Eno said he was particularly impressed by the pensioners’ sense of gratitude and assured them that the state government, under his leadership, would continue to prioritise the welfare of pensioners and elderly citizens.
He said, “This is indeed humbling to me. It shows that you are truly technocrats with a laudable sense of organisation. You may be retired but not tired. I celebrate and appreciate you greatly.
“I am now directing that N10,000 be added to the November 2026 pension payment of every pensioner in support of your welfare.”
He urged them to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, which he said was free for people aged 65 and above, to enable them to enjoy quality healthcare.
Eno recalled that he had promised to clear the backlog of gratuities, adding that N100bn had so far been paid from the accumulated N111bn owed since 2012. He assured the pensioners that the outstanding balance would be cleared before the end of his first term.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for making funds available to states, saying this had enabled him to fulfil his promise to clear the gratuity arrears.
Eno called on the pensioners to vote massively for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, saying this would ensure the continued availability of funds for the prompt payment of gratuities and pensions, as well as other welfare packages.
He also urged pensioners from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District to vote for the re-election of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Responding, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Comrade Mazi Godwin Ikechukwu Abumisi, commended Eno for what he described as his compassion and care for pensioners in the state.
Abumisi also praised Eno’s leadership and development efforts and urged pensioners across the state to support his second-term bid in 2027.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Pastor Sylvester Nkodo, thanked Eno for his leadership, saying his commitment to the welfare of elderly people and retired public servants was heartwarming.
“Governor Umo Eno is a true leader with the heart for humanity who deserves prayers and support from the people. I urge pensioners to support his administration,” he said.
The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, paving the way for the constitutional amendment bill to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
According to the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, the 28 approvals exceed the two-thirds majority required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, which translates to 24 states. The National Assembly can therefore proceed with the next stage of the process towards presidential assent.
The bill was forwarded to the 36 state assemblies on September 16, 2026, for consideration, with October 15 initially set as the deadline for them to communicate their decisions. Ogunlana, however, said his office would continue to receive and verify reports from the assemblies ahead of the bill’s transmission to Tinubu.
The 28 states that have approved the proposed establishment of state police are listed below:
Adamawa
Delta
Edo
Kwara
Nasarawa
Ogun
Osun
Oyo
Plateau
Rivers
Taraba
Zamfara
Enugu
Anambra
Imo
Ekiti
Kebbi
Akwa Ibom
Bayelsa
Benue
Cross River
Abia
Yobe
Kaduna
Lagos
Kano
Sokoto
Ebonyi
A new political prediction has emerged ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with a state-by-state electoral map showing the states former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are projected to win.
The prediction, published by Statecraft, outlines the expected performance of the three major political figures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the prediction, Tinubu is projected to win 15 states and the FCT, Atiku is expected to secure nine states, while Obi is tipped to emerge victorious in 12 states.
The map, which uses orange, blue and white colours to distinguish the three presidential contenders, provides a breakdown of the states each candidate is projected to win.
States Tinubu Is Projected to Win
According to the prediction, Tinubu is expected to win.
The FCT is also included in Tinubu’s projected victories.
States Atiku Abubakar Is Projected to Win
The former vice president is projected to win nine states.
States Peter Obi Is Projected to Win
Meanwhile, Obi is projected to secure 12 states.
The breakdown suggests a competitive presidential contest, with the three political figures projected to command support across different regions of the country.
Interestingly, the prediction places Tinubu ahead with 15 states and the FCT, followed by Obi with 12 states and Atiku with nine states.
However, it is important to note that the map represents Statecraft’s political prediction and not an official election result, an opinion poll or a declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The actual outcome of the 2027 presidential election will be determined by voters when Nigerians head to the polls.
The prediction has also raised questions about the possible political realignments, regional voting patterns and factors that could shape the contest in 2027.
JUST IN: Nigerian Gov Approves 13th-Month Bonus
Full List: 28 States That Approved State Police
