The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening humanitarian and economic situation, warning that soaring prices of essential goods, insecurity and funding shortages could drive millions more Nigerians into poverty and hunger.
In its July 2026 World Economic Outlook Update, the IMF said that although Nigeria’s economy is benefiting from improved macroeconomic stability and favourable terms of trade, the rising cost of essential commodities is expected to worsen poverty and food insecurity.
The Fund maintained its growth forecast for Nigeria at 4.1 percent in 2026 and 4.3 percent in 2027, noting that recent economic reforms have helped stabilize the economy. However, it warned that the gains are being undermined by the increasing cost of food and other basic necessities.
According to the IMF, growth across sub-Saharan Africa is projected to remain at 4.3% in 2026 and 4.5% in 2027, while global economic growth is expected to slow to 3.0 per cent in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027, largely due to the Middle-East conflict and global economic uncertainties.
The IMF also cautioned that renewed geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation and persistent inflation could further disrupt supply chains, increase commodity prices and weaken global economic recovery.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme warned that more than 17 million people across nine northern Nigerian states are facing severe hunger as insecurity, displacement and funding shortages continue to worsen the humanitarian crisis.
The UN agency said it urgently requires $89 million to sustain life-saving food assistance over the next six months, warning that without immediate support, hunger, displacement and instability will escalate, particularly in Borno State, which remains the epicentre of the crisis. The WFP attributed the worsening situation to persistent conflict, restricted humanitarian access and declining international assistance, urging the Federal Government and development partners to strengthen security, support agricultural production and expand humanitarian interventions to avert a deeper food emergency.
The warnings from both international organisations underscore the growing challenge facing Nigeria, where positive macroeconomic indicators are increasingly being overshadowed by rising living costs and a deepening food security crisis affecting millions of vulnerable citizens.
