The international medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, has raised concern over the growing cases of malnutrition, recurring disease outbreaks and persistent maternal healthcare challenges across Nigeria.
- +MSF raises alarm over rising malnutrition, disease outbreaks in Nigeria
The organisation made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the release of its 2025 Nigeria Country Activity Report, which highlighted worsening humanitarian and health conditions in several parts of the country.
The organisation made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during the release of its 2025 Nigeria Country Activity Report, which highlighted worsening humanitarian and health conditions in several parts of the country.
According to the report, MSF recorded its highest malnutrition admissions in recent years in 2025, as economic hardship, insecurity, displacement, flooding and rising food prices continued to affect access to food and healthcare services.
MSF stated that it operated regular medical projects in 10 states including Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, while also establishing a new presence in Kaduna State.
The organisation said it treated more than 440,000 children for malnutrition, over 300,000 people for malaria, and assisted more than 33,500 deliveries across Nigeria in 2025.
Speaking on the report, Dr Ahmed Aldikhari, MSF Country Representative in Nigeria, described the situation as alarming. “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.
“We are seeing a vicious cycle where malnutrition is both a cause and a consequence of diseases such as measles, malaria, and diphtheria among others, especially when healthcare is delayed or inaccessible,” Aldikhari stated.
The report also noted that Nigeria continued to witness outbreaks of infectious diseases including cholera, Lassa fever, measles, meningitis, diphtheria and typhoid fever, particularly during the rainy season.
MSF disclosed that in 2025 alone, its teams treated 341,239 malaria patients, 38,753 measles cases, 6,123 diphtheria patients and 985 meningitis cases in various facilities supported by the organisation.
Aldikhari stressed the need for stronger healthcare interventions across the country. “Many of these illnesses are preventable. Strengthening vaccination coverage, water and sanitation systems, disease surveillance and access to timely treatment remains critical,” he said.
On maternal healthcare, the organisation expressed concern over Nigeria’s high maternal and newborn mortality rates, particularly in rural and conflict-affected communities where women face barriers such as insecurity, poor transportation, weak referral systems and overstretched hospitals.
The report revealed that MSF assisted 33,590 deliveries, conducted 119,469 antenatal consultations and carried out 224 fistula surgeries in 2025.
“Timely access to emergency obstetric and newborn care can save lives.
“There is an urgent need for stronger investment in primary healthcare, referral systems, staffing, equipment and emergency maternal services, especially in underserved areas,” he added.
