Skip to main content

Country analysis

Nigeria


Insurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province in northeastern Nigeria, ‘banditry’ violence in the northwest, farmer/pastoralist conflict in the Middle Belt, and a growing Cameroonian refugee population in the south have contributed to a complex humanitarian crisis in the country. In southeast Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra and their affiliate Eastern Security Network are pushing for secession from the rest of the country.

Ethno-religious differences have led to tension between geopolitical zones in northern and southern Nigeria. The high levels of ethnic and religious intolerance often explode into violence whenever there is a trigger, such as political incitement by leaders. Economic factors, such as unemployment, high inflation, and poverty, also drive insecurity countrywide, as some youth join criminal gangs and militant groups for economic survival.

Conflict in different parts of Nigeria has also led to internal and international displacement; disrupted livelihoods, such as farming; and contributed to food insecurity.

Climate change has resulted in land degradation and increased competition over scarce fertile land, contributing to farmer-pastoralist conflict. It has also amplified the intensity of natural disasters.

(The Africa Report 02/01/2023, Irene et al. 05/2022, CFR 09/06/2022, OCHA 09/02/2022, News Security Beat 15/11/2021)

Insurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province in northeastern Nigeria, ‘banditry’ violence in the northwest, farmer/pastoralist conflict in the Middle Belt, and a growing Cameroonian refugee population in the south have contributed to a complex humanitarian crisis in the country. In southeast Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra and their affiliate Eastern Security Network are pushing for secession from the rest of the country.

Ethno-religious differences have led to tension between geopolitical zones in northern and southern Nigeria. The high levels of ethnic and religious intolerance often explode into violence whenever there is a trigger, such as political incitement by leaders. Economic factors, such as unemployment, high inflation, and poverty, also drive insecurity countrywide, as some youth join criminal gangs and militant groups for economic survival.

Conflict in different parts of Nigeria has also led to internal and international displacement; disrupted livelihoods, such as farming; and contributed to food insecurity.

Climate change has resulted in land degradation and increased competition over scarce fertile land, contributing to farmer-pastoralist conflict. It has also amplified the intensity of natural disasters.

(The Africa Report 02/01/2023, Irene et al. 05/2022, CFR 09/06/2022, OCHA 09/02/2022, News Security Beat 15/11/2021)

Latest updates on country situation

12 September 2024

On 10 September 2024, severe flash flooding in Maiduguri city triggered the collapse of the Alau Dam, affecting over 239,000 people and displacing nearly 50,000 across Bulabulin, Fori, Galtimari, and Gwange areas (Borno state). The flooding has disrupted critical supply chains and hindered access to schools, healthcare facilities, and markets in many parts of Borno. Immediate needs for the affected include food, NFIs, shelter, and clean water. (OCHA 10/09/2024, ECHO 11/09/2024, CNN 11/09/2024)

03 September 2024

By 2 September 2024, heavy rains had affected over 500,000 people across 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including Bauchi, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The floods have displaced 205,000 people, killed 170, damaged 76,000 houses, and destroyed over 106,089 hectares of farmland. (IRC 02/09/2024, VOA 28/08/2024)

20 August 2024

On 8 August 2024, heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding that devastated the entire community of Sabon Gari in Katagum local government area, Bauchi. The disaster claimed three lives, destroyed over 600 homes, and affected more than 800 people, leaving the entire community displaced. The flooding also wiped out over 300 livestock and ravaged thousands of hectares of farmland, severely disrupting livelihoods and cutting off the community's access to clean water. The impact hit infrastructure, including the road connecting Azare to Giade and a portion of the Azare-Jama'are Federal dual carriageway along the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway, which was completely washed away. Some displaced residents have been relocated to Gida Dubu. The affected community urgently needs immediate support, including food, NFIs, medical care, and WASH services. (IFRC/Nigerian Red Cross Society 14/08/2024, Zawya 13/08/2024)

30 July 2024

On 22 July 22 2024, heavy rainfall caused a flash flood in Dikwa and Mafa local government areas, Borno state, damaging nearly 260 shelters and affecting more than 4,000 individuals. Urgent needs include food, NFIs, shelter, and WASH services. (IOM 27/07/2024, Punch 17/07/2024)

15 May 2024

In the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (commonly referred to as the BAY states), approximately 4.8 million people are expected to face severe hunger during the 2023 lean season (June–August) unless immediate interventions are implemented. This marks an 11.6% increase from the 4.3 million people projected to experience food insecurity during the same period in 2023. Prolonged conflict and dry spells have worsened the food and nutrition crisis in the BAY states. Recent nutrition surveillance data shows that 16 out of the 62 local government areas in these states are already experiencing critical nutrition situations even before the peak of the lean season. The worsening food security situation is driven by escalating inflation, insecurity (including insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry), and rising fuel prices, compounded by climate-related shocks nationwide. Heightened insecurity has forced farmers to abandon their farms, further deepening the crisis. (FSC 02/04/2024, UNCT Nigeria/OCHA 14/05/2024)

11 March 2024

On 7 March 2024, over 280 students were abducted from a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, marking the third such incident in a week. On 9 March, 15 students were kidnapped in Gidan Bakuso village, Sokoto State, raising concerns in the North West. Rescue efforts are hindered by inaccessible roads. Over 200 individuals (predominantly women and children) were abducted in Borno State, allegedly by Boko Haram in early March. These distressing events highlight critical protection and education concerns, as the security gaps exploited by kidnappers jeopardise the safety of children and women and disrupt the educational environment. (The Guardian 10/03/2024, CNN 08/03/2024, APNews 09/03/2024)

13 February 2024

26.5 million people are projected to face food insecurity in 2024 in 26 assessed states of Nigeria (out of 36). The main drivers of food insecurity include the change in seasonal patterns affecting agriculture; conflict and insecurity; poverty; and increasing inflation affecting people's access to food. On 6 February, food inflation triggered protests in central Niger and northwest Kano states. As at December 2023, food inflation reached 33.93% – an increase from 23.75% in December 2022. Poor food consumption resulted in acute malnutrition among 4.41 million children, including 1.04 million severely malnourished in northeast and northwest Nigeria. Persistent food insecurity and poverty have also aggravated various protection concerns, compelling people to resort to negative coping mechanisms such as engaging in survival sex, begging, and child labour.
(OCHA 13/11/2023, IPC 17/10/2023, Government of Nigeria 06/02/2024)

current crises
in Nigeria


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

NGA001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 27/08/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement
Violence
Epidemic
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.1 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

NGA003 - Middle Belt

Last updated 27/08/2024


Drivers

Violence
Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.2 High

Access constraints

2.0

NGA004 - Lake Chad basin crisis

Last updated 27/08/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

NGA007 - Northwest Banditry

Last updated 27/08/2024


Drivers

Violence
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

3.0

NGA008 - Cameroonian Refugees

Last updated 27/08/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2 Low

Access constraints

2.0

REG001 - Lake Chad basin regional crisis

Last updated 28/08/2024


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.3 Very High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Nigeria

Global increase of cholera: aggravated by vaccine shortage and El Niño

28 May 2024

Global increase of cholera: aggravated by vaccine shortage and El Niño

DOCUMENT / PDF / 341 KB

This report highlights the key contributing factors and aggravating conditions that can increase the global prevalence of cholera, focusing particularly on the impact of the global OCV shortage that is heightening humanitarian needs among affected populations and those vulnerable to spread. 

HealthNatural hazards

Attached resources

Nigeria: conflict in the northeast and northwest

03 January 2024

Nigeria: conflict in the northeast and northwest

DOCUMENT / PDF / 201 KB

Violent incidents reported include attacks, kidnapping, and extortion by non-state armed groups (NSAGs), such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as militias known locally as bandits.

Conflict and violence
Nigeria: country-wide flooding

21 October 2022

Nigeria: country-wide flooding

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Since June 2022, heavy rainfall and strong winds have been severely affecting Nigeria. As at 6 October, flooding had affected 33 of its 36 states. As at 20 October, the crisis had displaced more than 1.4 million people and affected over 2.5 million. The floods have triggered a cholera outbreak in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.

Natural hazards
Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security

17 August 2022

Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report aims to explore the impact of extreme weather and climate events on the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin. Since the 1970s in West and Central Africa, river floods and agricultural and ecological droughts have been increasing while average rainfall has been decreasing. These phenomena have an impact on availability of resources and land, and consequently on the economic and living conditions of the regions’ populations.

Food security & livelihoodsNatural hazards
Nigeria and Niger: Cholera outbreak

18 November 2021

Nigeria and Niger: Cholera outbreak

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

This report highlights the impact of the outbreak considering the current conflict environment and other aggravating factors.

Health
View more