Nigeria Moves to Lead Its Own Humanitarian Response While Retaining UN Support

The change follows years of humanitarian assistance in Nigeria being organized primarily by international donors and UN agencies. Officials said the new model will allow the federal government to work directly with state authorities, aid organisations and affected communities, while still drawing on UN expertise. The move is positioned as a way to sustain response capacity amid “growing pressure” on external funding streams.

The Straits Times

• The United Nations estimates that nearly 35 million Nigerians face hunger in 2023, a figure linked to the collapse of global aid budgets.

The Straits Times

• Nigeria plans to draft its 2027 humanitarian plan under the leadership of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, with technical support from OCHA and the broader UN system.

The Straits Times

Humanitarian Minister Bernard Doro stressed that the transition “is not a withdrawal of international support but a transition to government-led coordination that would continue to receive technical backing from the U.N. and other partners.”

Reuters

U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall added that the decision “is not about reducing support, but to shift to a new model that takes advantage of more government and private-sector funding to drive humanitarian response.” Both officials highlighted the intent to maintain collaborative ties while expanding national ownership.

Reuters

• “Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall said the decision was not about reducing support, but to shift to a new model that takes advantage of more government and private-sector funding to drive humanitarian response.” — Mohamed Fall, U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

The Straits Times

• “has said nearly 35 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger this year following the collapse of global aid budgets.” — United Nations statement

The Straits Times

This coordinated approach seeks to preserve aid effectiveness while bolstering Nigeria’s capacity to address conflict-driven displacement, food insecurity, flooding, climate shocks and public-health emergencies.

Reuters