Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on July 26, 2025, reported that over 600 malnourished children in Nigeria died between January and June 2025, highlighting a severe humanitarian crisis.
The data, gathered from MSF-supported facilities in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, part of the northeast conflict zone, showed 2,300 severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases, with a 26% mortality rate among those under five. The organization attributed the deaths to food insecurity, exacerbated by insurgency, flooding, and rising food prices, with 4.4 million people facing acute hunger per the 2025 UN Food Security Assessment.
MSF called for increased government and international aid, noting only 30% of affected areas receive support. The Federal Ministry of Health acknowledged the crisis but cited budget constraints, allocating ₦5 billion for nutrition in 2025 against a ₦50 billion need.
Critics question MSF’s figures, suggesting underreporting in inaccessible regions could raise the toll, while some officials argue aid diversion dilutes impact. The narrative of a nutrition emergency is urgent, with survival odds hinging on swift, transparent intervention.
