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Country analysis

Nigeria


Insurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province in northeastern Nigeria, ‘banditry’ violence in the northwest, farmer/pastoralist conflict in the Middle Belt, and a growing Cameroonian refugee population in the south have contributed to a complex humanitarian crisis in the country. In southeast Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra and their affiliate Eastern Security Network are pushing for secession from the rest of the country.

Ethno-religious differences have led to tension between geopolitical zones in northern and southern Nigeria. The high levels of ethnic and religious intolerance often explode into violence whenever there is a trigger, such as political incitement by leaders. Economic factors, such as unemployment, high inflation, and poverty, also drive insecurity countrywide, as some youth join criminal gangs and militant groups for economic survival.

Conflict in different parts of Nigeria has also led to internal and international displacement; disrupted livelihoods, such as farming; and contributed to food insecurity.

Climate change has resulted in land degradation and increased competition over scarce fertile land, contributing to farmer-pastoralist conflict. It has also amplified the intensity of natural disasters.

(The Africa Report 02/01/2023, Irene et al. 05/2022, CFR 09/06/2022, OCHA 09/02/2022, News Security Beat 15/11/2021)

Insurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province in northeastern Nigeria, ‘banditry’ violence in the northwest, farmer/pastoralist conflict in the Middle Belt, and a growing Cameroonian refugee population in the south have contributed to a complex humanitarian crisis in the country. In southeast Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra and their affiliate Eastern Security Network are pushing for secession from the rest of the country.

Ethno-religious differences have led to tension between geopolitical zones in northern and southern Nigeria. The high levels of ethnic and religious intolerance often explode into violence whenever there is a trigger, such as political incitement by leaders. Economic factors, such as unemployment, high inflation, and poverty, also drive insecurity countrywide, as some youth join criminal gangs and militant groups for economic survival.

Conflict in different parts of Nigeria has also led to internal and international displacement; disrupted livelihoods, such as farming; and contributed to food insecurity.

Climate change has resulted in land degradation and increased competition over scarce fertile land, contributing to farmer-pastoralist conflict. It has also amplified the intensity of natural disasters.

(The Africa Report 02/01/2023, Irene et al. 05/2022, CFR 09/06/2022, OCHA 09/02/2022, News Security Beat 15/11/2021)

Latest updates on country situation

22 October 2024

In North West Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states, banditry has severely disrupted healthcare and education services. Health workers face abductions, the looting of medical supplies, and the destruction or seizure of healthcare facilities. Insecurity has also led to the closure of numerous health centres, especially in local government areas such as Maru, Shinkafi, and Zurmi, requiring residents to travel long distances to state capitals or neighbouring states for medical care. Bandits have taken over over 168 schools in Zamfara, and their attacks have displaced nearly 700,000 people and disrupted agricultural activities, leading to worsening food insecurity. As a result, 13.5 million people face acute food shortages, with 460,000 experiencing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) food insecurity levels. (ACSS 21/10/2024, HumAngle 03/02/2024)

15 October 2024

Since July 2024, floods in Nigeria have inundated 31 of the 36 states in the country and affected 1.2 million people. The most affected state is Borno state, with around 420,000 affected people. The floods have damaged or destroyed around 117,000 houses and affected around 180,000 cultivated farmlands. At least 50,000 displaced people are still residing in emergency shelters. Urgent humanitarian needs include food, potable water, shelter, NFIs (such as mosquito nets, mats, and hygiene kits), access to WASH services, healthcare support, and protection services, especially for women, children, and people with disabilities. (OCHA 15/10/2024)

12 September 2024

On 10 September 2024, severe flash flooding in Maiduguri city triggered the collapse of the Alau Dam, affecting over 239,000 people and displacing nearly 50,000 across Bulabulin, Fori, Galtimari, and Gwange areas (Borno state). The flooding has disrupted critical supply chains and hindered access to schools, healthcare facilities, and markets in many parts of Borno. Immediate needs for the affected include food, NFIs, shelter, and clean water. (OCHA 10/09/2024, ECHO 11/09/2024, CNN 11/09/2024)

03 September 2024

By 2 September 2024, heavy rains had affected over 500,000 people across 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, including Bauchi, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara. The floods have displaced 205,000 people, killed 170, damaged 76,000 houses, and destroyed over 106,089 hectares of farmland. (IRC 02/09/2024, VOA 28/08/2024)

20 August 2024

On 8 August 2024, heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding that devastated the entire community of Sabon Gari in Katagum local government area, Bauchi. The disaster claimed three lives, destroyed over 600 homes, and affected more than 800 people, leaving the entire community displaced. The flooding also wiped out over 300 livestock and ravaged thousands of hectares of farmland, severely disrupting livelihoods and cutting off the community's access to clean water. The impact hit infrastructure, including the road connecting Azare to Giade and a portion of the Azare-Jama'are Federal dual carriageway along the Kano-Maiduguri Expressway, which was completely washed away. Some displaced residents have been relocated to Gida Dubu. The affected community urgently needs immediate support, including food, NFIs, medical care, and WASH services. (IFRC/Nigerian Red Cross Society 14/08/2024, Zawya 13/08/2024)

30 July 2024

On 22 July 22 2024, heavy rainfall caused a flash flood in Dikwa and Mafa local government areas, Borno state, damaging nearly 260 shelters and affecting more than 4,000 individuals. Urgent needs include food, NFIs, shelter, and WASH services. (IOM 27/07/2024, Punch 17/07/2024)

15 May 2024

In the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (commonly referred to as the BAY states), approximately 4.8 million people are expected to face severe hunger during the 2023 lean season (June–August) unless immediate interventions are implemented. This marks an 11.6% increase from the 4.3 million people projected to experience food insecurity during the same period in 2023. Prolonged conflict and dry spells have worsened the food and nutrition crisis in the BAY states. Recent nutrition surveillance data shows that 16 out of the 62 local government areas in these states are already experiencing critical nutrition situations even before the peak of the lean season. The worsening food security situation is driven by escalating inflation, insecurity (including insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry), and rising fuel prices, compounded by climate-related shocks nationwide. Heightened insecurity has forced farmers to abandon their farms, further deepening the crisis. (FSC 02/04/2024, UNCT Nigeria/OCHA 14/05/2024)

current crises
in Nigeria


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

NGA001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 27/09/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement
Violence
Epidemic
Floods

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.1 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

NGA003 - Middle Belt

Last updated 27/09/2024


Drivers

Violence
Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.2 High

Access constraints

2.0

NGA004 - Lake Chad basin crisis

Last updated 27/09/2024


Drivers

Conflict
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

NGA007 - Northwest Banditry

Last updated 27/09/2024


Drivers

Violence
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.6 High

Access constraints

3.0

NGA008 - Cameroonian Refugees

Last updated 27/09/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2 Low

Access constraints

2.0

REG001 - Lake Chad basin regional crisis

Last updated 26/09/2024


Drivers


Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.3 Very High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Nigeria

Nigeria: humanitarian impact of floods in Borno state

24 September 2024

Nigeria: humanitarian impact of floods in Borno state

DOCUMENT / PDF / 743 KB

On 9 September 2024, heavy rain and structural damage caused the Alau Dam in Konduga local government area (LGA), Borno state, to collapse. The dam collapse caused flash flooding in neighbouring Maiduguri and Jere LGAs.

Natural hazards
Global increase of cholera: aggravated by vaccine shortage and El Niño

28 May 2024

Global increase of cholera: aggravated by vaccine shortage and El Niño

DOCUMENT / PDF / 341 KB

This report highlights the key contributing factors and aggravating conditions that can increase the global prevalence of cholera, focusing particularly on the impact of the global OCV shortage that is heightening humanitarian needs among affected populations and those vulnerable to spread. 

AudioHealthNatural hazards

Attached resources

Nigeria: conflict in the northeast and northwest

03 January 2024

Nigeria: conflict in the northeast and northwest

DOCUMENT / PDF / 201 KB

Violent incidents reported include attacks, kidnapping, and extortion by non-state armed groups (NSAGs), such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as militias known locally as bandits.

Conflict and violence
Nigeria: country-wide flooding

21 October 2022

Nigeria: country-wide flooding

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Since June 2022, heavy rainfall and strong winds have been severely affecting Nigeria. As at 6 October, flooding had affected 33 of its 36 states. As at 20 October, the crisis had displaced more than 1.4 million people and affected over 2.5 million. The floods have triggered a cholera outbreak in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.

Natural hazards
Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security

17 August 2022

Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This report aims to explore the impact of extreme weather and climate events on the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin. Since the 1970s in West and Central Africa, river floods and agricultural and ecological droughts have been increasing while average rainfall has been decreasing. These phenomena have an impact on availability of resources and land, and consequently on the economic and living conditions of the regions’ populations.

Food security & livelihoodsNatural hazards
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