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Overview
The analysis covered a total of 133 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria including 62 in the northeast and 71 in the northwest. Between May and September 2024, more than half of the LGAs, 63 percent (84 LGAs), were classified in either IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious) or IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical). Of these, 10 LGAs in the northeast were classified in Phase 4 (Critical), and 21 LGAs were in Phase 3 (Serious). In the northwest, 24 LGAs were classified in Phase 4 (Critical) and 29 LGAs in Phase 3 (Serious). The remaining 37 percent (49 LGAs) were all classified in Phase 2 (Alert) across the two regions, and notably, no LGA in either region was classified in IPC AMN Phase 1 (Acceptable).
The primary contributing factors to acute malnutrition in these regions include poor food consumption in both quantity and quality, inadequate feeding practices, poor health services, prevalence of diseases, and low health-seeking behaviors. Moreover, the current economic situation, coupled with food insecurity, limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, and persistent issues like banditry, protracted conflict, population displacement, flooding, and general insecurity, exacerbates malnutrition by restricting access to vulnerable populations.
It is estimated that nearly 5.4 million children aged 0-59 months are currently suffering and are projected to continue suffering from acute malnutrition through 2025. This includes nearly 1.8 million children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). In addition, 787,000 pregnant and lactating women are also acutely malnourished and in need of treatment.
The number of acutely malnourished children in need of treatment has risen by 23 percent, with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases increasing by 69 percent compared to the last IPC AMN analysis in 2023. Additionally, there is a 35percent increase in acutely malnourished pregnant and lactating mothers requiring treatment.
The projection period of October to December 2024 indicates that acute malnutrition levels in both the northeast and northwest regions are expected to remain largely stable compared to the current period of analysis, except for Northern Yobe where the situation is likely to deteriorate. During the second projection period, from January to April 2025, the situation in the northeast is expected to remain similar to the first projection period except for Mobbar and Nganzai in Northern Borno. For the northwest region, a slight improvement of the acute malnutrition situation is likely during this second projection.
In the Northeast region, the situation is particularly severe in the Borno State with 10 LGAs (Maiduguri, Jere, Damboa, Gubio, Kaga, Konduga, Mafa, Magumeri, Marte and Monguno) showing a Critical (IPC AMN Phase 4) classification and seven (Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Kala/Balge, Ngala, Mobbar and Nganzai) classified in IPC Phase 3 (Serious).
In the Northwest region, Sokoto and Katsina are likely to be the most affected States with 13 LGAs and 11 LGAs in Critical (IPC Phase 4) classification respectively. In Sokoto, this includes the areas of Bodinga, Dange Shuni, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Binji, Gudu, Silame, Tangaza, Gada, Gwadabawa, Kware, Illela and Wurno and for Katsina the following LGAs: Batagarawa, Batsari, Jibia, Kaita, Katsina, Baure, Daura, Mai’Adua, Sandamu, Zango and Mashi. The rest of the LGAs for Sokoto (Wamakko, Goronyo, Isa, Rabah, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Kebbe, Tambuwal, Yabo and Tureta), are likely to be classified in IPC Phase 3 while in Katsina, 10 LGAs are expected to experience Serious (IPC Phase 3) acute malnutrition situation, more specifically: Danmusa, Dutsinma, Safana, Kurfi, Rimi, Bindawa, Charanchi, Dutsi, Mani and Kafur.