MSF report raises alarm over rising malnutrition, disease outbreaks in Nigeria

The 2025 Country Activity Report released by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has revealed worsening levels of malnutrition, recurring disease outbreaks, and persistent maternal healthcare challenges across Nigeria, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected communities.

The organisation noted that the report further disclosed that malnutrition cases have steadily increased since 2022, with 2025 recording the highest admissions handled by MSF teams in recent years.

According to a statement signed by Abdulkareem Yakubu | Field Communication Officer (Press) MSF, a copy made available to the press in Kano, said that the report, launched in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighted what the organisation described as a critical year for healthcare delivery, with increasing admissions for severe malnutrition and mounting pressure on fragile health systems.

MSF, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said it has been operating in Nigeria since 1996, responding to disease outbreaks, maternal health emergencies, natural disasters, conflict-related crises, and healthcare access gaps.

According to the report, the organisation carried out regular medical interventions in 10 states in 2025, including Bauchi State, Borno State, Cross River State, Ebonyi State, Jigawa State, Kano State, Katsina State, Kebbi State, Sokoto State, and Zamfara State, while also establishing a new operational presence in Kaduna State. Emergency responses were also extended to Niger State and Adamawa State.

MSF disclosed that its teams treated more than 440,000 children for malnutrition, over 300,000 people for malaria, and assisted in more than 33,500 deliveries during the year.

The report noted that malnutrition cases have steadily increased since 2022, with 2025 recording the highest admissions handled by MSF teams in recent years.

Data from the report showed that 353,989 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition were treated through outpatient programmes, while 90,723 children with complications were admitted into inpatient stabilisation centres.

MSF Country Representative in Nigeria, Ahmed Aldikhari, described the figures as alarming.

“The 2025 data tells a harrowing story: with over 440,000 children put on treatment, it is the year with highest admissions for malnutrition we’ve had in Nigeria in recent years,” he said.

He explained that malnutrition was both a cause and consequence of infectious diseases such as measles, malaria, and diphtheria, particularly in communities where healthcare services remain delayed or inaccessible.

The organisation attributed the worsening nutrition crisis to conflict and insecurity, displacement, inflation, flooding, drought, and rising food prices, all of which continue to limit access to food and healthcare services.

It also warned that humanitarian funding cuts were increasing pressure on already overstretched facilities.

The report further highlighted the continued burden of infectious diseases across the country, including cholera, Lassa fever, measles, meningitis, diphtheria, and typhoid fever.

In 2025, MSF said it treated 341,239 malaria patients, 38,753 children for measles, 6,123 patients for diphtheria, and 985 for meningitis in its supported facilities.

Dr Aldikhari stressed that many of the illnesses remained preventable through stronger vaccination coverage, improved water and sanitation systems, effective disease surveillance, and timely treatment.

On maternal health, the report said Nigeria still records some of the world’s highest maternal and newborn mortality rates, despite many deaths being preventable.

MSF said women in rural and conflict-affected areas continue to face barriers, including insecurity, long distances to health facilities, transportation difficulties, high treatment costs, and weak referral systems.

The organisation reported that it assisted 33,590 deliveries, conducted 119,469 antenatal consultations, and performed 224 fistula surgeries in 2025.

It added that medical teams frequently handled severe complications arising from delayed access to care, including obstructed labour, severe bleeding, infections, and eclampsia.

Dr Aldikhari called for stronger investment in primary healthcare, emergency maternal services, medical staffing, referral systems, and equipment to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths across underserved communities.