36.3 Million Nigerians Still in Crisis-Level Food Insecurity as Maize, Millet, Sorghum Prices Climb
By Aboki Forex —
At least 36.3 million Nigerians were living in crisis-level food insecurity or worse in August 2026, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) said in its latest Food Security Monitor. The figure stood at 36,289,939 people, unchanged from July, and represents 16.65% of the population covered by the assessment.
Nigeria recorded the largest number of people in IPC/CH Phase 3 or worse among the 17 African countries tracked in the report. South Sudan followed with 7.83 million people, Kenya recorded 4.12 million and Mozambique 3.52 million.
What is driving the numbers
AGRA said food insecurity across the monitored countries was being driven by conflict, displacement, high food prices and weather-related disruptions to agricultural production. In Nigeria, insecurity, particularly in the northern states, has disrupted farming, market access and the distribution of food and humanitarian assistance.
Grain prices move in different directions
The national average price of white maize rose 5.2% month-on-month to N355.29 per kilogramme in August. That was 9.3% higher than three months earlier and 19.3% above its level six months earlier, though it remained 10.9% lower than a year earlier. In dollar terms, Nigerian maize cost about $265 per metric tonne, up 7% from July.
Millet climbed 2.1% from the previous month to N474.88 per kilogramme. The price was 15.5% more expensive than three months earlier, 19.7% higher than six months earlier and 2.5% above the level recorded in August 2025.
White sorghum posted the largest monthly increase among the grains, rising 6.6% to N439.10 per kilogramme. It was 32.6% higher than six months earlier and 13.8% above its level a year earlier. AGRA attributed the increase to stronger domestic demand and constrained supply.
Milled rice bucked the trend. Its national average price fell 6.9% month-on-month to N616.94 per kilogramme. Rice was 18.4% cheaper than six months earlier and 31.8% below its August 2025 price. AGRA linked the decline to improved supply and easing market pressure. Nigeria also recorded the lowest rice price in dollar terms among the West African markets monitored by the organisation.
What it means for Nigerian households
The divergent price movements leave households under pressure, with some staples becoming cheaper while others keep rising. The findings land as food prices remain a central concern for consumers and policymakers seeking to improve supply and cut food insecurity.
Nigeria's food inflation climbed to 20.31% in July 2026, the sixth straight monthly increase, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. That was 2.79 percentage points higher than the 17.52% recorded in June 2026, even as the year-on-year picture showed some relief.