Nigeria

17 October 2023

Since early October 2023, heavy rainfall has led to flooding along the Niger River and Benue River Basin following rising water levels in Lagdo Dam in neighbouring Cameroon. In Adamawa state, the floods have killed about 33 people, displaced over 50,000, and resulted in significant infrastructure damage. Immediate needs include food, shelter, NFIs, and WASH services. (CCCM Cluster 13/10/2023,
Daily Post 10/10/2023, FEWSNET 13/10/2023)

18 September 2023

A diphtheria outbreak declared on 20 January 2023 continues in several states of Nigeria. Between May 2022 and early September 2023, over 6,000 cases were confirmed. Between June–August, over 5,800 suspected cases were reported, 4,000 of which were recorded in August only. Many of these cases are from Kano state, where over 280 patients are being admitted weekly in treatment centres. Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, and Yobe states have also reported diphtheria cases. A worldwide shortage of treatment given low production capacity and low national vaccination coverage could further worsen the outbreak. As at September 2023, only about 70% of children had received their first vaccine dose. Diphtheria is transmitted through direct contact or air droplets and has a higher death rate in settings with poor access to treatment, particularly among children.
(MSF 19/09/2023, WHO 13/09/2023,
UNICEF 19/09/2023)

17 July 2023

On 14 July, a state of emergency was declared in Nigeria following high levels of food insecurity. Increased food prices caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy, protracted conflict, and limited humanitarian presence in North West and North Central Nigeria are driving high food needs during the lean season (June–September). (IRC 17/07/2023
VoA 14/07/2023
FEWS NET 11/07/2023)

20 June 2023

Since early 2023, severe cases of malnutrition among children have worsened in Borno state. Nutrition surveillance data from March–April 2023 shows a deteriorated nutrition situation in five local government areas in the state, including Bama, Gwoza, Magumeri, Ngala, and Nganzai. In Maiduguri, the number of children facing moderate and severe acute malnutrition admitted in stabilisation centres has increased, from 75 per week in January to about 150 in April, representing a 48% increase compared to the same period in 2022. As it is the lean season (May–September), these figures may continue rising in the coming months. Consecutive prolonged lean seasons, acute food insecurity, extreme flooding in 2022, infectious disease cycles, and poor living conditions in camps further aggravate the situation. Currently, an estimated two million children in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states face acute malnutrition in 2023; 700,000 of them are at risk of severe acute malnutrition. (MSF 26/04/2023, OCHA 17/06/2023, Nutrition Cluster/UNICEF 09/06/2023)

09 March 2023

In 2021, 7.3 million women and girls in Nigeria of ages 15–49 were undernourished – a 30% increase compared to 2018. Undernourished women and adolescent girls face increased risks of fatal complications during pregnancy and childbirth because of weakened immunity. They are in need of nutrition assistance. Undernutrition remains a problem in the country at the same time that it experiences conflict, high levels of poverty, and a food crisis.
(UNICEF 07/03/2023, UNICEF 03/2023, BBC 08/03/2023)