Key facts
- Nigeria intends to lead humanitarian response coordination within the country.
- This shift moves away from a system largely led by international donors and UN agencies.
- The transition aims to increase government and private-sector funding for humanitarian efforts.
- Nigeria plans to develop its 2027 humanitarian plan with technical support from the UN.
Nigeria is set to assume a more prominent role in managing its internal humanitarian responses, shifting away from a model predominantly steered by international donors and United Nations agencies. This strategic transition was discussed at a joint workshop in Abuja, where the Nigerian government and the UN initiated discussions on transferring greater authority for planning, coordination, and financing of operations to national institutions.
Nigerian Humanitarian Minister Bernard Doro clarified that this move does not signify a withdrawal of international support but rather a transition towards government-led coordination, which will continue to benefit from the technical expertise of the UN and its partners. UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the shift is designed to embrace a new model that capitalizes on increased government and private-sector funding to drive humanitarian initiatives.
The decision comes amid growing global pressure on donor funding and Nigeria's desire to bolster its capacity to address a range of crises, including conflict, displacement, food insecurity, flooding, climate shocks, and public health emergencies. The UN has highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that nearly 35 million Nigerians face the risk of hunger this year due to the strain on global aid budgets.
Minister Doro stated that his ministry will collaborate with federal and state authorities, aid organizations, and affected communities to coordinate nationwide humanitarian preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Nigeria's ambition is to take the lead in formulating its 2027 humanitarian plan, with essential technical assistance from OCHA and the broader UN system.