Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have urged government entities at all levels to collaborate in addressing insecurity and the impacts of climate change to alleviate food shortages in Nigeria, as projected by global organizations for 2026.
On Tuesday, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) indicated that increasing instability in northern Nigeria, characterized by a rise in attacks, is causing hunger to reach unprecedented levels, according to Sunday Independent.
The warning was issued subsequent to the release of the latest Cadre Harmonisé, a regional food security analysis that categorizes the severity of hunger. This report indicated that approximately 35 million individuals are anticipated to experience severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season, marking the highest figure documented in Nigeria.
The World Food Programme reported that attacks by insurgent groups in Nigeria have intensified during 2025.
Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an affiliate of al-Qaeda, reportedly executed its inaugural attack in Nigeria last month.
The insurgent group, Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), is reportedly seeking to expand its influence across the Sahel.
The statement noted recent incidents, including the killing of a brigadier soldier in the northeast and attacks on public schools in the north, resulting in several teachers and hundreds of schoolgirls remaining missing.
David Stevenson, WFP Country Director and Representative in Nigeria, stated that communities are experiencing significant pressure due to ongoing attacks and economic stress.
“Failure to ensure food security for families may lead to heightened desperation, which could be exploited by insurgent groups to enhance their influence, thereby posing a security threat that extends throughout West Africa and beyond.”
The World Food Programme reported that Northern Nigeria is facing the most severe hunger crisis in ten years, with rural farming communities being the most affected.
Approximately six million individuals in the northern regions are anticipated to experience crisis levels of hunger or more severe conditions during the 2026 lean season, specifically from June to August, within the conflict-affected areas of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
Approximately 15,000 individuals in Borno State are anticipated to face catastrophic hunger, classified as Phase 5, indicative of famine-like conditions.
“Children in Borno, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara face the highest risk, as these regions exhibit the most elevated malnutrition rates.”
During a recent address at the 2025 National Agricultural Show in Karu, Nasarawa State, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), highlighted the challenges faced by smallholder farmers and small-scale producers. He noted that these individuals are currently experiencing difficulties due to low prices for their produce, high input costs, generally low output, insecurity, and the weakened purchasing power of the Naira, which collectively contribute to significant setbacks in agribusiness for many Nigerians.
He stated: “The resilience of smallholder farmers is being tested, and government intervention to regulate input prices and revive the Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and National Agricultural Reserve Agency (NAFRA) would be advisable at this juncture to alleviate the challenges within the national food system.”
Several stakeholders interviewed by our correspondent asserted that insecurity is a significant factor contributing to severe hunger in Nigeria.
An anonymous agricultural researcher indicated that numerous farmers nationwide have ceased farming activities due to escalating insecurity.
He argued that insecurity and climate change were severely disrupting the agricultural value chain throughout the country.
Bandits reportedly abducted four rice farmers in Bokungi village, Edu Local Government of Kwara, shortly after an attack on Eruku town in the state.
Farmers were reportedly attacked by bandits while engaged in agricultural activities.
Reports indicate that two farmers were initially abducted while packaging harvested rice, followed by the kidnapping of two additional individuals from a neighboring farm, resulting in a total of four victims.
Reports indicate that the attack was coordinated, involving bandits who invaded the farms, fired sporadically, and subsequently abducted the victims.
Reports indicate that approximately 24 farmers were kidnapped by gunmen suspected to be bandits in Angwar Kawo, a suburb of Shiroro in Niger State, on Thursday of the previous week.
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly abducted 12 female farmers in the Mussa district of Askira-Uba Local Government Area, Borno State.
Reports indicate that the female farmers were abducted while returning from their farmlands at approximately 5 PM on Saturday of the previous week.
During a telephone interview on Sunday, State Police Public Relations Officer Nahum Daso confirmed the incident, stating that the command has initiated an investigation into the matter.
He stated that an abduction occurred yesterday in Askira-Uba. Twelve female farmers were abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists while returning from the farm.
Stakeholders identified climate change as a significant factor contributing to food insecurity and hunger.
A report by the Cheetahs Policy Institute indicates that climate change presents significant threats to food security in Nigeria.
This increase is attributed to unprecedented inflation, persistent conflict, and climate-related disasters.
Hassan Musa, an agribusiness entrepreneur, urged the government to acknowledge the impact of climate change, including droughts, heat, and floods, on the worsening hunger and food insecurity in the country.
Musa urged government at all levels to adopt climate-smart agriculture and develop infrastructure and irrigation facilities to facilitate year-round farming.
The World Health Organization has indicated that climate change poses a threat to clean air, safe water, nutritious food, and secure shelter in Nigeria.
Experts in agriculture have urged Nigerian farmers to adopt soilless farming, smart agriculture, and backyard farming practices.
The federal government and states have been urged to enhance agricultural mechanization and encourage the adoption of modern farming technologies and practices.
The necessity for enhanced irrigation, drought resilience programs, governmental policy support, and sustainable land management was emphasized.
The authors argued that immediate and sustained action is necessary to prevent a worsening of Nigeria’s food security crisis, emphasizing the need for practical and genuine measures to address the ongoing hunger and food insecurity affecting the nation.
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