Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) warned on Wednesday that deepening cuts to humanitarian funding are jeopardising Nigeria’s already fragile health response, as rising malnutrition, disease outbreaks and maternal‑health emergencies continue to overwhelm vulnerable communities.
In its latest country activity report, MSF recorded the highest number of malnutrition admissions in recent years, with more than 440,000 children treated in 2025. Of these, 353,989 were managed through outpatient programmes for severe acute malnutrition, while 90,723 children with acute malnutrition and medical complications were admitted to stabilisation centres.
“The 2025 data tells a harrowing story,” said Ahmed Aldikhari, MSF’s Country Representative in Nigeria. “Conflict, displacement, consecutive years of inflation, flooding, drought and rising food prices are all eroding families’ ability to secure food and healthcare. At the same time, humanitarian funding cuts are increasing pressure on already overstretched services.”
MSF has been operating in Nigeria since 1996, responding to disease outbreaks, nutrition crises, maternal‑health emergencies, conflict‑related displacement and natural disasters. In 2025 the organisation ran projects in Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, expanded into Kaduna, and carried out emergency interventions in Adamawa and Niger.
The report highlighted that northern Nigeria remains the epicentre of a worsening nutrition crisis, driven by insecurity, displacement and economic hardship. Children bear the brunt of food shortages and limited access to health services, while humanitarian agencies repeatedly warn that funding gaps are undermining emergency operations, especially in the conflict‑affected northeast. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has flagged widening gaps in nutrition support, emergency health care, water and sanitation in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Nigeria’s broader economic challenges – the removal of fuel subsidies, soaring inflation and a depreciating currency – have sharply increased the cost of food, medicines and humanitarian operations. Recent food‑security assessments indicate that millions of Nigerians face acute hunger, and reduced donor support could force cuts to nutrition programmes, vaccination campaigns and emergency medical interventions.
Beyond malnutrition, MSF documented a heavy disease burden in its facilities. In 2025 its teams treated 341,239 malaria patients, 38,753 measles cases, 6,123 diphtheria cases and 985 meningitis patients. Aldikhari stressed that many of these illnesses are preventable with stronger health‑system investments, improved vaccination coverage, better water and sanitation, and robust disease surveillance.
Maternal health also remains a critical concern. MSF assisted 33,590 deliveries, conducted 119,469 antenatal consultations and performed 224 fistula surgeries during the year. The organisation frequently encountered women with severe complications such as obstructed labour, postpartum haemorrhage, infections and eclampsia, often resulting from delayed access to care.
“Timely emergency obstetric and newborn care can save lives,” Aldikhari said. “There is an urgent need for stronger investment in primary health care, referral systems, staffing, equipment and emergency maternal services, especially in underserved areas.” Nigeria accounts for one of the highest maternal‑mortality burdens globally, a situation linked to limited skilled birth‑attendants, weak referral pathways, poverty and under‑funded facilities.
MSF’s warning underscores a widening gap between escalating health needs and dwindling humanitarian resources. As Nigeria grapples with intersecting crises of nutrition, disease and maternal health, sustained donor commitment and strategic investment in primary health infrastructure will be essential to prevent further deterioration of the country’s health outcomes. The organization calls on governments, donors and international partners to restore funding levels and bolster health‑system resilience before the situation spirals beyond control.
