HeadlineNews.News Special Report
Starving the Future: Northern Nigeria’s Deepening Child Malnutrition Crisis
By HeadlineNews.News – May 2025
In the heart of Northern Nigeria, a humanitarian crisis is tightening its grip on the most vulnerable—children under five. Despite 25 years of government-led policies to combat malnutrition, millions of children continue to suffer and die from what should be preventable causes. Hunger is no longer just a symptom of poverty; it is a manifestation of policy failure, armed conflict, cultural barriers, climate change, and a collapsing healthcare system.
Every Child a Casualty
At the Ahmad Sani Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Gusau, Zamfara, Fatima watches over her eight-month-old daughter, Mariam, after losing her son Abdul to malnutrition days earlier. Their story is heartbreakingly common. “We see cases like this every day. The death rate is around 35 per cent, far above normal,” says Nefisat Sani, Head of the hospital’s Nutrition Unit.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that 100 million Nigerians are food insecure in 2024—up from 28 million in 2019. In the Northeast and Northwest, where insecurity and climate shocks prevail, this crisis is worst.
Wasted Lives, Overstretched Systems
Zamfara alone has 697 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), each seeing roughly 100 cases daily under Outpatient Therapeutic Programmes (OTP). With widespread displacement, soaring food prices, and insecurity keeping farmers from their lands, these centres are overwhelmed. The UNICEF estimates 250,000 children in Nigeria currently suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
Cases like Ummi’s four-month-old daughter, who weighed just 2.2 kg before dying within a day of admission, underline how poverty and lack of access to formula or care facilities are killing infants.
Policy in Name, Not in Action
In 2001, Nigeria adopted the National Food and Nutrition Policy, revising it in 2016 with the goal of achieving optimal nutrition by 2025. The framework outlined food security, nutrition education, and system integration, yet 25 years later, malnutrition continues to rise.
From 2021 to 2024, child malnutrition cases rose by 145%, from 2.2 million to 5.4 million. The National Demographic and Health Survey confirms stunting among children has increased from 37% in 2018 to 40% in 2023.
A Cultural and Social Emergency
In Kebbi State, cultural practices aggravate the crisis. Families often sell nutritious food to raise money while children survive on nutrient-deficient porridge. Beatrice Kwere, former state nutrition officer, notes that delays in seeking care—often due to the need for male approval—can be fatal.
In Borno, Prof. Garba Ashiru, Chief Consultant at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, describes the crisis as a social disaster: “Stunting doesn’t just affect physical growth. It stunts brain development too.” He emphasizes that malnutrition must be tackled as a multisectoral issue, not just a medical one.
Hospitals Overwhelmed, Aid Dwindling
At Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, seven out of every ten child patients are malnourished. In 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treated 170,000 children for severe acute malnutrition across the Northwest. Yet, international aid is shrinking.
Abdullahi Mohammed Ali, MSF’s Nigeria head, warns: “Levels of malnutrition and disease are catastrophic in the context of persistent and relentless violence.”
Budget Increases, Impact Still Elusive
Northern states like Kaduna, Kano, and Borno allocated over 14% of their 2025 budgets to healthcare. Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi joined in with a record N517 billion in combined health spending. Yet, implementation remains weak.
Nigeria’s federal nutrition budget grew by 33.7%, from N127.24 billion in 2024 to N170.01 billion in 2025, but with inflation soaring to 24.48%, real impact is limited. The cost of a healthy adult diet now averages N1,371 per day—a 190% rise from December 2022.
Malnutrition and Education: A Lost Generation
At Gidandawa Primary School in Bungudu, children struggle with basic literacy despite the RANA (Reading and Numeracy Activity) programme. Malnutrition is a key barrier. It impairs cognitive development, making learning difficult. 40% of children under five are stunted, and nearly half live in poverty.
What Must Be Done
Experts agree: to reverse this trend, Nigeria must abandon the siloed approach. Prof. Ashiru insists, “Less than 15% of interventions come from the agriculture sector, which is ironic given food is central. Health responses alone won’t solve this.”
Insecurity must be addressed to allow farmers back to their fields. The success of Zamfara’s Community Protection Guards (CPG) could serve as a local solution to a national problem.
This is no longer a seasonal crisis—it is systemic. A nation that fails to nourish its children is one that forfeits its future. Time is running out.
This report is part of HeadlineNews.News’ ongoing investigation into Nigeria’s humanitarian and development challenges.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
“Starving the Future: Northern Nigeria’s Malnutrition Crisis Deepens” Malnutrition has been a silent killer in Northern Nigeria, I thank Headlinenews.news for this informative write-up to highlight this. We hope the State Governments will realise the importance and act rather than waiting for the Federal Government. Corruption is killing Nigeria.
Elder Statesman.
“Broken Promises, Dying Children: 25 Years of Failed Nutrition Policy in Nigeria” Northern State Governors should act immediately and allocate to initiatives to resolve this Malnutrition challenge. These Children are the leaders of tomorrow and deserve better. Results must be visible. – Former Governor from SouthWest.
“Too Hungry to Grow: How Insecurity and Poverty Are Killing Northern Nigeria’s Children”. A terrible situation caused by corruption and greed. Northern leaders must act now before its too late. It is already too late, but damage control could be implemented immediately. The APC led Federal government should also support this move. All Nigerians should support in every way to prevent innocent children from dying. – Dr. G. Fraser. MFR, The National Patriots.
“The Silent Emergency: Malnutrition Ravages Northern Nigeria’s Next Generation” The insensitivity and nonchalance of Northern Leaders has birthed this monster. The leaders should rise to fight this battle against Malnutrition immediately if they have a social conscience.
Hajiya Fatima, Social activist.
“Out of Food, Out of Time: Nigeria’s Struggle to Save Its Starving Children”. This is most unfortunate. This issue should have been addressed in 8 years of former President Buhari’s tenure. Today, President Tinubu has the responsibility to develop initiatives and support the effort of the Northern Governors to tackle this monster. – Member, U K Parliament.
“A Nation at Risk: The Unseen War Against Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria” This is a litmus test for the Governors of Northern Nigeria in order to tackle this problem from the grassroot. It’s not just for the Federal Government but the State Governments should earmark a huge budget to address this issue and ensure action with visible results. Corruption must be addressed when implementing initiatives to tackle this malnutrition issue.- UN official.
“Cradles of Sorrow: Hunger’s Grip on Northern Nigeria’s Children”- this is a highly informative article and highlights the urgency of this challenge. It is nor only for government but the responsibility of every Nigerian. Former Distinguished Senator.
“Where Hope Is Measured in Grams: The Tragedy of Malnourished Childhoods” Nigeria must wake up to address this with the urgency required. – Dr. Aisha Bello. Nutritionst Expert.
“Empty Bowls, Empty Futures: Nigeria’s Malnutrition Catastrophe” – We hope the Federal Government will take steps to address this soon. – Prof. Mohammed.