Nigeria now has the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and ranks second globally for child stunting, according to a dire new report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Alarming Statistics
- 2 million children in Nigeria suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), yet only 20% receive treatment.
- 32% of children under five are stunted—a condition linked to impaired cognitive development and reduced economic productivity.
- Just 17% of infants are exclusively breastfed in their first six months, while only 18% of children aged 6–23 months get a minimally adequate diet.
Northern Nigeria Hardest Hit
The crisis is most severe in northern states, where poverty, food insecurity, and limited healthcare access exacerbate stunting and wasting. Malnutrition contributes to 45% of under-five deaths nationwide, posing long-term risks to education, health, and economic growth.
Economic and Social Fallout
UNICEF warns that malnutrition could cost Nigeria up to 11% of its GDP due to lost productivity. The agency is scaling up efforts to improve nutrition services, particularly in vulnerable regions, but calls for urgent government and international intervention.
