Northern Nigeria Malnutrition Crisis Kills 652 Children Katsina

Northern Nigeria, particularly Katsina State, is facing a severe malnutrition crisis with a sharp increase in child mortality rates, as reported by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). By mid-2025, nearly 70,000 malnourished children had received treatment in Katsina, including 10,000 hospitalized in critical condition, with 652 children dying due to delayed access to care. Cases of nutritional oedema, the deadliest form of malnutrition, have surged by over 200% compared to the previous year, while acute malnutrition is also rising among adults, especially pregnant and breastfeeding women. The crisis is exacerbated by poverty, disease outbreaks, insecurity, and a significant reduction in international funding, leading to the suspension of emergency food aid by the World Food Programme for 1.3 million people in northeast Nigeria. A food security survey showed over 90% of households in the region have reduced their daily meals, highlighting the worsening food insecurity. Humanitarian groups and UNICEF have called for urgent mobilization, improved nutrition services, and social protection measures to prevent further deaths and mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations.