Nigeria to Lead Humanitarian Response as UN Shifts Support Framework

Nigeria is preparing to assume a greater leadership role in coordinating humanitarian assistance across the country, marking a significant shift from a system that has long depended on international donors and United Nations agencies.

The transition is designed to place national institutions at the forefront of planning, financing and managing relief efforts while maintaining technical collaboration with global partners.

The move comes as the country continues to face multiple humanitarian challenges, including conflict-driven displacement, food insecurity, climate-related disasters and recurring public health emergencies.

Officials say strengthening domestic leadership will improve long-term resilience and ensure humanitarian responses are better aligned with local priorities and needs.

• Nigeria takes greater control of humanitarian response with UN support
• Nigeria shifts to nationally led humanitarian coordination and planning
• Nigeria strengthens humanitarian leadership through transition roadmap

Transition Towards National Ownership

The roadmap was unveiled during a joint transition workshop held in Abuja, where senior Nigerian government officials and United Nations representatives discussed transferring greater responsibility for humanitarian planning, coordination and funding to national institutions.

Nigeria's Humanitarian Affairs Minister Bernard Doro said the transition should not be viewed as the withdrawal of international assistance. Instead, he described it as an evolution of the humanitarian system, with Nigeria taking ownership of operations while continuing to benefit from technical expertise and strategic support from the United Nations and development partners.

The government believes stronger domestic leadership will enable faster decision-making, improve coordination among federal and state agencies, and enhance accountability in humanitarian programmes. Officials also expect locally led planning to better address the country's unique social, economic and security challenges.

UN to Continue Technical Partnership

United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall emphasized that the transition is intended to strengthen, rather than reduce, international cooperation. He said the UN will continue supporting Nigeria through capacity building and coordination while encouraging greater contributions from local governments, private sector organizations and domestic funding sources.

The shift comes at a time when humanitarian agencies worldwide are grappling with tightening donor budgets and rising global crises. Increasing domestic financing is expected to help Nigeria build a more sustainable humanitarian response system that is less vulnerable to fluctuations in international aid.

Nigeria remains one of Africa's largest humanitarian hotspots. The northeastern region continues to experience insecurity linked to armed conflict, while millions of people across the country are affected by floods, droughts and economic hardship. According to the United Nations, nearly 35 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity during the current lean season, underscoring the urgency of strengthening national response mechanisms.

As part of the transition process, Nigeria will take the lead in preparing its Humanitarian Response Plan for 2027, with support from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The plan is expected to reflect national leadership while integrating international best practices in disaster preparedness, emergency relief and recovery programmes.

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Government officials believe the new approach will create a more resilient humanitarian system capable of responding to future emergencies while reducing long-term dependence on external assistance. International partners have reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside Nigeria as the country builds stronger institutions to protect vulnerable communities and respond effectively to evolving humanitarian challenges.