Attachments
Executive summary
Nigeria faces one of the world’s most severe food crises, with the highest number of people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity in a single country.
The crisis stems from a complex interplay of factors, including persistent poverty, high youth unemployment and structural weaknesses in rural areas, all compounded by macroeconomic shocks. Armed conflict – particularly in the northeast – has displaced millions of people, disrupted livelihoods and undermined access to basic services. The impact of climate change – recurrent floods and droughts – as well as increasing pest and disease outbreaks further exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially among smallholder farmers.
Despite these challenges, Nigeria holds significant potential to close the food security gap and unlock inclusive economic growth for its population. Targeted agricultural interventions in food insecurity hotspots – especially in the northeastern, northwestern and north-central regions – can save lives, reduce reliance on food imports, and create opportunities for employment and value chain development. Investing in agriculture not only addresses immediate needs, but can also reduce investment risks and expand markets, laying the foundation for long-term stability and growth – even in conflict-affected areas.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brings decades of technical expertise and operational experience in Nigeria, focusing on safeguarding rural livelihoods and enabling crisis-affected communities to quickly resume food production. FAO’s approach is rooted in the humanitarian–development–peace nexus, emphasizing cost-effective, locally led and context-specific interventions that bridge short-term life-saving with longer term livelihood objectives.
In the current humanitarian reset – a systemwide effort to increase the efficiency of humanitarian action – FAO is supporting the transition to government-led, locally implemented humanitarian operations, working closely with national and regional authorities, local actors and communities to define priorities and maximize impact. FAO adopts a people-centred approach that places gender equality and the empowerment of women and youth at the core of its interventions, recognizing their pivotal role in building resilient food systems and fostering community recovery.
By addressing protection risks, such as displacement, gender-based violence and resource-based conflicts, and promoting inclusive participation and accountability, FAO strengthens food security, resilience and fosters peace FAO’s Emergency and Resilience Plan is a three-year strategy (2026–2028) designed to address the food crisis in Nigeria. It targets the most vulnerable populations in key hotspots in the northeastern, northwestern and north-central regions to:
(i) safeguard rural livelihoods and improve nutrition;
(ii) strengthen resilience against shocks;
(iii) increase market access and employment for youth and women; and
(iv) enhance coordination and data-driven decision-making. These will be achieved through the implementation of interventions articulated around four main interlinked components