The United Nations Children’s Fund has revealed that two out of every three Nigerian children are experiencing child hunger, while the same proportion are not being exclusively breastfed, pointing to a deepening nutrition crisis in the country.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Malnutrition Manager, Sumit Karn, disclosed these alarming statistics on Tuesday during a two-day capacity-building workshop for journalists on nutrition and food systems reporting.
The training was organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition in collaboration with Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.
Karn described the figures as “deeply concerning,” adding that efforts to address malnutrition in Nigeria remain too slow to meet global nutrition targets.
“Nigeria is home to an estimated 38 million children under the age of five, with 15 million stunted, 7 million moderately wasted, and 3 million severely wasted.
In addition, around 12 million children are anaemic, reflecting the multi-dimensional nature of the nutrition crisis,” he said.
The presentation ranked Nigeria as the country with the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and the second highest globally, highlighting the urgent need for stronger and more rapid interventions.
UNICEF data also shows that the average annual rate of reduction in stunting is only 1.4 percentage points, well below the 10 points required to meet international nutrition benchmarks.
As a result, four out of five Sustainable Development Goal targets related to nutrition are currently off track in Nigeria.
Karn also noted that approximately 31 million Nigerians across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory are either hungry or facing uncertainty about their next meal — a situation driven by ongoing food insecurity, poverty, and inflation.
“This situation demands urgent, coordinated action from all stakeholders,” he stressed. “We must strengthen nutrition-sensitive programmes, improve food systems, and promote exclusive breastfeeding to give every Nigerian child a fair start in life.”
UNICEF called on federal and state governments, civil society groups, and the private sector to scale up investments in nutrition and food security, reinforce social protection systems, and forge partnerships aimed at ensuring that no child is left behind.
The agency reiterated that combating malnutrition is not only a health priority but also a key development issue with far-reaching implications for education, productivity, and national economic growth.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Victor Ekeleme, GAIN’s Senior Associate for Communications, emphasised the organisation’s mission to make healthier diets more affordable, accessible, and appealing to all Nigerians.
He acknowledged the crucial role of the media in shaping public discourse and influencing policy decisions related to nutrition.
“The stories we tell, and how we tell them, shape public understanding, influence policies, and mobilise action. That is where you, our partners in the media, play a crucial role,” Ekeleme stated, while commending journalists for their commitment to advancing nutrition advocacy across the country.
