The world today marks World Food Day 2025 under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The day, observed every October 16th, highlights the urgent need for collective global action to end hunger and ensure access to nutritious food for all.
According to the United Nations and the World Food Programme, global hunger remains a major concern, with over 295 million people across 53 countries facing acute food insecurity in 2024. Despite slight improvements in some regions, Africa continues to record the highest levels of hunger and malnutrition, driven by conflict, climate change, and economic challenges.
In Nigeria, the situation remains critical. Reports from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme indicate that between 30.6 and 33 million Nigerians are facing acute food insecurity in 2025. This figure reflects a worsening trend from previous years, with conflict, inflation, and climate shocks among the major causes.
The hunger crisis has hit the country’s northern region the hardest, where insecurity has disrupted farming activities and displaced thousands. Humanitarian agencies say children are the most affected, with malnutrition claiming hundreds of lives. In Katsina State alone, over 650 children have died from malnutrition in the first half of 2025 according to Doctors Without Borders
The Nigerian federal government says it remains committed to tackling the crisis. Following the state of emergency on food security declared in 2023, measures have been taken to boost production and stabilize food prices. These include releasing grains and fertilizers from strategic reserves, securing farmlands, and creating a National Commodity Board to regulate food prices.
In 2024, the government intensified its intervention through mechanized farming initiatives covering about 500,000 hectares of land and established the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit to harmonize food policies nationwide. Temporary waivers were also introduced for food imports to cushion the effects of inflation, while funds saved from fuel subsidy removal were redirected to support agriculture and vulnerable households.
Despite these efforts, experts warn that Nigeria’s food security challenge will persist unless deeper reforms are made to improve storage, distribution, and agricultural infrastructure, while ensuring farmers’ safety in conflict-prone areas.
As the world marks World Food Day 2025, the message from the United Nations remains clear: governments, private sectors, and individuals must work hand in hand to create better food systems—because a better food future begins with collective action today.
