Situation report on Nigeria - April 2026

In April 2026, insecurity escalated in Nigeria's north-eastern Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) States due to intensified non-state armed group attacks, which targeted health facilities and severely disrupted essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. This violence triggered widespread displacement and heightened gender-based violence (GBV) risks for women and adolescent girls. A massive hunger crisis looms, with 5.8 million people in the BAY States facing severe food insecurity in 2026, a situation worsened by high malnutrition rates. Furthermore, an ongoing, severe diphtheria epidemic with over 1,500 cases poses critical risks to pregnant women.

In response, UNFPA reached 18,888 individuals through 65 health facilities, safely managing 385 deliveries and providing focused antenatal care to 4,892 pregnant women, along with modern contraception to 3,110 people. UNFPA also reached 8,478 people with GBV services, including mental health and psychosocial support, care for survivors of sexual violence, and the provision of safe shelter, legal assistance, and multisectoral referral linkages.

UNFPA is appealing for US $11.9 million in 2026 to deliver essential SRH and GBV services. Currently, only US $883,467 has been secured, representing just 7% of the total funding needs. Additional funding is urgently needed to prevent thousands of vulnerable women and girls from losing access to life-saving SRH and GBV services.