Child malnutrition worsening in Nigeria – MSF

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has warned that Nigeria is facing a worsening child malnutrition crisis after recording over 400,000 new cases in 2025, the highest among the 77 countries where the organisation operates.

Speaking during the presentation of the 2025 Nigeria Activity Highlights in Abuja, MSF Country Representative Dr Ahmed Aldikhari blamed the situation on insecurity, displacement, inflation, flooding, drought, and poor access to healthcare, particularly in northern Nigeria.

According to MSF, 353,989 children with severe acute malnutrition were treated through outpatient programmes, while 90,723 others with complications were admitted to stabilisation centres in 2025. The organisation said the figures represent a 20 per cent increase in severe malnutrition cases and a 15 per cent rise in admissions compared to 2024.

Aldikhari said preventable diseases such as malaria, measles, meningitis and diphtheria continue to worsen malnutrition among children, warning that the crisis could have long-term effects on Nigeria’s future population if urgent action is not taken.

He attributed the high figures to climate shocks, insecurity, weak healthcare systems and declining global donor support, adding that MSF is working with the federal government and relevant ministries to improve the response.

MSF Medical Activity Manager Shafa’atu Abdulkadir said the organisation treated thousands of cases of measles, diphtheria, meningitis and malaria in 2025, while more than 300,000 children were vaccinated against major disease outbreaks through MSF-supported campaigns.

She also warned that cholera, Lassa fever, typhoid and diphtheria outbreaks remain recurrent, especially during the rainy season.