Iran war fuels child malnutrition crisis in Nigeria as poverty worsens

Iran war fuels child malnutrition crisis in Nigeria as poverty worsens

The ripple effects of the Iran war are being felt thousands of kilometres away in Nigeria, where soaring fuel prices, rising food inflation and worsening economic hardship are pushing more children into malnutrition and deepening poverty, particularly across the country’s northern states.

Health workers and humanitarian organisations have raised fresh concerns over an increase in the number of children suffering repeated episodes of acute malnutrition, warning that families already struggling to cope with inflation are finding it increasingly difficult to provide adequate and nutritious meals.

In communities across Sokoto State, doctors and nutrition specialists say more children who had previously recovered from severe acute malnutrition are returning to treatment centres after relapsing. The trend reflects the growing inability of low-income households to meet basic nutritional needs as the cost of living continues to climb.

The worsening crisis comes against the backdrop of prolonged economic challenges in Nigeria and fresh global market disruptions caused by the conflict between Iran and its adversaries. The war has unsettled international energy markets, sending fuel prices higher and increasing transportation, production and food costs across many developing countries.

For millions of Nigerians, particularly in the North-West and North-East, the impact has been immediate. Families that once managed to afford balanced meals now depend almost entirely on inexpensive staples such as pap, rice and grains, while protein-rich foods, fruits and vegetables have become increasingly unaffordable.

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According to UNICEF, if the conflict in the Middle East continues, as many as 23.4 million additional children worldwide could fall into monetary poverty by the end of the year. The agency estimates that nearly 80 per cent of those affected would be in Africa and Asia, where millions of households are already battling inflation, conflict and food insecurity.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that children far beyond the Middle East are paying a heavy price for the conflict, stressing that prolonged economic shocks are threatening children’s health, education and long-term development.

She noted that persistent hunger during childhood could lead to stunted growth, weakened immunity, poor learning outcomes and reduced economic opportunities later in life, making early intervention critical.

The crisis is unfolding as Nigeria continues to grapple with the impact of sweeping economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange-rate reforms. While aimed at stabilising the economy, the measures have contributed to higher inflation and increased living costs for many households.

The World Bank recently estimated that about 139 million Nigerians are either poor or vulnerable to poverty, highlighting the enormous social and economic pressures facing the country’s population.

The situation is particularly severe in northern Nigeria, where insecurity has already displaced thousands of farming families. Frequent attacks by armed groups have restricted access to farmlands, reduced agricultural production and disrupted local food supply chains.

Adding to the pressure, higher fertiliser prices linked to global supply disruptions have increased farming costs, raising concerns that food production could decline further during the current planting season and worsen hunger in vulnerable communities.

Medical workers say nutrition centres across northern Nigeria are recording growing admissions as parents struggle to feed their children. Several healthcare facilities have also reported an increase in relapse cases, with children returning for treatment only months after recovering from severe acute malnutrition.

Humanitarian organisations have appealed to the Federal Government, donor agencies and development partners to expand emergency nutrition programmes, strengthen healthcare services and increase support for vulnerable households before the crisis escalates further.

Experts also urged authorities to accelerate investments in agriculture, improve food distribution systems, strengthen social protection programmes and create sustainable employment opportunities to reduce the country’s vulnerability to external economic shocks.

Economists warn that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on global energy markets means international conflicts can quickly translate into higher domestic fuel and food prices, disproportionately affecting low-income families.

As inflation continues to erode household incomes and humanitarian needs rise, aid agencies fear that without urgent intervention, millions more Nigerian children could face hunger, malnutrition and lifelong health challenges despite living thousands of kilometres from the battlefield.

Iran war fuels child malnutrition crisis in Nigeria as poverty worsens