Thursday, May 14, 2026 - Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, has raised concerns over worsening malnutrition, recurring disease outbreaks and persistent maternal healthcare challenges in Nigeria, according to its 2025 Country Activity Report released in Abuja.
The humanitarian organisation stated that rising food
insecurity, conflict, inflation, flooding, displacement and weak healthcare
systems continue to expose millions of Nigerians, especially children and
women, to severe health risks.
The report disclosed that MSF operated regular medical
projects in 10 states, including Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara,
Borno, Bauchi, Cross River and Ebonyi, while also establishing a new
operational presence in Kaduna State during the year under review.
According to the report, MSF teams treated more than 440,000
children suffering from malnutrition in 2025, describing it as the highest
number of admissions recorded by the organisation in recent years.
It explained that 353,989 children with severe acute
malnutrition were treated through outpatient programmes, while another 90,723
children with complications were admitted into inpatient stabilisation centres
supported by MSF.
Speaking on the report, the MSF Country Representative in
Nigeria, Ahmed Aldikhari, said the figures reflected a growing humanitarian
crisis affecting vulnerable communities across northern Nigeria.
“The 2025 data tells a harrowing story. With over 440,000
children put on treatment, it is the year with the highest admissions for
malnutrition we’ve had in Nigeria in recent years,” he said.
Dr Aldikhari noted that malnutrition remains closely linked
to recurring diseases such as measles, malaria, diphtheria and cholera, which
continue to spread rapidly in communities with limited access to healthcare
services.
The report further showed that MSF treated 341,239 malaria
patients, 38,753 measles cases, 6,123 diphtheria patients and 985 meningitis
cases across several states in 2025.
MSF explained that disease outbreaks usually intensify
during the rainy season and continue to overwhelm healthcare facilities,
especially in underserved and conflict-affected areas.
The organisation stressed the need for stronger vaccination
campaigns, improved water and sanitation systems, disease surveillance and
timely access to treatment to reduce preventable deaths.
On maternal healthcare, the report noted that Nigeria still
records one of the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates globally, with
many women facing difficulties accessing healthcare due to insecurity, poor
transportation, overstretched hospitals and weak referral systems.
MSF disclosed that it assisted 33,590 deliveries, conducted
119,469 antenatal consultations and carried out 224 fistula surgeries in 2025.
The organisation added that many women continue to suffer
severe complications arising from delayed access to emergency healthcare,
including severe bleeding, obstructed labour, infections and high blood
pressure-related conditions.
Dr Aldikhari called for increased investment in primary
healthcare services, staffing, medical equipment and emergency maternal care,
particularly in rural and conflict-affected communities across the country.
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