‘1,000 Children May Die Daily’ – Save the Children Raises Alarm Over Hunger Crisis

A recent study by Save the Children International has warned that over 96,000 children could die from acute malnutrition in six northern states before the end of 2025, raising fresh concerns about the failure of government at all levels to protect vulnerable citizens.

The organisation released the alarming projection at a press conference in Abuja, with representatives from PLAN International, Action Against Hunger Nigeria, Oxfam, and other partners in attendance.

Save the Children listed the affected states as Adamawa, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara.

Country Director of Save the Children, Duncan Harvey, said the situation could become catastrophic if urgent lifesaving interventions are not provided.

According to him: “Without urgent access to lifesaving treatment, the states could lose 96,000 children to death between October and December 2025 due to acute malnutrition.”

He explained that the projection means over 1,000 children may die every single day within the last quarter of the year.

Harvey added that about 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women in the same states face similar risks of acute malnutrition.

Harvey further warned that Nigeria is already battling the world’s largest food crisis, stating:

“Nigeria is facing a nationwide emergency due to escalating challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition; with more than 31 million people facing acute food insecurity in 2025.”

He disclosed that:

• 5.4 million children are currently malnourished nationwide.
• 3.5 million children under five suffer Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
• 1.2 million children require immediate lifesaving treatment.

Between October and December 2025 alone, 600,000 children under five in the six states will be at risk of SAM.

He also reminded governments of the 2010 AU declaration marking October 30 as Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day to encourage action against hunger.

Harvey emphasised: “Hunger is not just a risk; it’s a crisis of rights. Food security and nutrition must be treated as non-negotiable for child survival.”

Country Director of Action Against Hunger Nigeria, Thierno Samba Diallo, stressed the need for immediate investment in proven nutrition commodities.

He said: “Funds should be made available for lifesaving nutrition commodities like Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and therapeutic milk, locally produced and proven to save lives.”

Diallo said malnutrition carries irreversible impacts on physical growth, cognitive development and national productivity, adding that both long-term funding and nexus approaches linking humanitarian, peace and development interventions were needed.

He urged governments to:

• Expand targeted support for 800,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Adopt shock-responsive safety nets to shield poor households.
• Scale up food assistance, nutrition treatment and livelihood support.
• Encourage local production of fortified foods.
• Strengthen cadre harmonisation and integrate phase classification analysis for informed response.

Director of Programme Quality and Influencing at PLAN International, Dr Helen Idiong, urged federal and state authorities to collaborate with humanitarian partners.

She said: “Hunger is not just a lack of food. It’s a violation of dignity, health and the right to the future. No child should die from malnutrition, hunger or illness. These are preventable, treatable and solvable.”

Idiong insisted that food and nutrition security must be viewed as a non-negotiable right.

Nigerians Fear Crisis May Spread Beyond Six States

The report has sparked nationwide debate, with many Nigerians arguing that the malnutrition crisis could extend beyond the six listed states.

They warned that states in the North-Central, including Benue, Plateau, Niger, Kogi and parts of Kaduna—face similar risk due to rising violence, displacement of farming communities and growing food scarcity.

‘Banditry Has Made Farming Impossible’ – Middle Belt Forum

President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Pogu Bitrus, said Nigeria does not need international bodies to confirm rising malnutrition.

According to him: “Banditry has reached a stage where farmers can’t go to farm. And when children can’t feed properly, the resultant effect is malnutrition and death.”

He warned that the problem extends far beyond the six states listed: “There are so many other areas where bandits do not allow farmers to go to farm. There will be devastating hunger unless government takes proactive action.”

An educationist in Maiadua, Katsina State, Abdullahi Umar, said insecurity has extended food shortages from a seasonal problem to a year-round crisis.

He explained: “Ordinarily, states like Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto experience food shortage around June/July. But insecurity has made it an all-year problem. Terrorists and kidnappers don’t allow people to go to farm.”

He lamented that removal of fuel subsidy has worsened the cost of living, adding: “Government should take the war to bandits and kidnappers, clear them from the forests and bushes, and allow farmers back to the farm.”

Umar urged state governments to distribute food and children’s supplements immediately and advised other states not listed to prepare ahead.

A lawyer and public affairs commentator, Nnanna Nwkamma, said many families are unable to feed due to harsh economic policies.

He argued: “Ninety percent of hardship in the country today is attributed to subsidy removal. Then look at the issue of taxation; it is crazy.”

Nwkamma warned that many households in the affected states — and even beyond — cannot afford basic nutrition.

He pointed out: “A can of NAN baby food that used to sell at a little above ₦1,000 now sells for ₦10,000 or more. Why won’t there be malnourished children?”

He emphasised that the crisis affects both the North and the South, saying: “Many families are feeding from hand to mouth. There is no food anywhere. The economy is very hard.”

He urged the government to provide food and children’s supplements to poor households at no cost or subsidised rates and declare total war on bandits and kidnappers.

He said, “Apart from having enough food for everybody, farmers will also become economically viable to provide the kind of food that nourishes children.”