MSF: 440,000 Nigerian Children Treated for Malnutrition

ABUJA — Doctors Without Borders, known as MSF, has warned that Nigeria is facing a worsening malnutrition crisis. The medical humanitarian organization says it treated more than 440,000 children for malnutrition in 2025, the highest number it has ever recorded in Nigeria in a single year.

MSF released its 2025 Nigeria Country Activity Report on Wednesday in Abuja. The report painted a dire picture of growing hunger, recurring disease outbreaks, and deteriorating maternal healthcare across multiple states, particularly in Nigeria’s north.

Dr Ahmed Aldikhari, MSF Country Representative in Nigeria, described the situation as alarming. “The 2025 data tells a harrowing story. With over 440,000 children put on treatment, it is the year with the highest admissions for malnutrition we have had in Nigeria in recent years,” Aldikhari said.

MSF said it operated medical projects in 10 states including Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. It also established a new presence in Kaduna State during the year.

Beyond malnutrition, MSF teams treated 341,239 malaria patients, 38,753 measles cases, 6,123 diphtheria patients, and 985 meningitis cases in 2025. The organization warned that many of these diseases are preventable with adequate investment in vaccines and healthcare infrastructure.

The report also raised concerns about Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rate. MSF assisted 33,590 deliveries and conducted 119,469 antenatal consultations in 2025. The organization said women in rural and conflict-affected areas face deadly barriers to care, including poor roads, insecurity, and overstretched hospitals.

MSF warned that deepening humanitarian funding cuts are threatening its ability to respond to Nigeria’s health crises. The organization said reduced international support is placing additional pressure on already fragile systems that millions of Nigerians depend on.

Aldikhari called on the Nigerian government and international partners to urgently increase investment in nutrition programs, vaccination campaigns, and primary healthcare. “Many of these illnesses are preventable. Strengthening healthcare systems now will save lives,” he said.

Nigeria continues to carry one of the world’s heaviest burdens of severe acute malnutrition, particularly in conflict-affected northern states. Experts say meaningful progress requires sustained funding, security improvement, and stronger local health systems.