Nigeria: 33 million people to face Acute Food insecurity
US $910 million needed to support humanitarian efforts in north-east Nigeria in 2025 – UN
Thirty- three million people in Nigeria to face acute food insecurity during the lean season* with alarming levels of malnutrition this year threatening millions of children.
In the Borno Adamawa and Yobe states, 5.1 million people will be affected
A total of just over US$ 910 million is required to respond to the humanitarian needs of 3.6 million people in need of life-saving assistance in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states in north-east Nigeria in 2025.
In a statement in Abuja by the, Head – Public Information, UN Office, Ann Weru says a total of 7.8 million people are considered to be in need of humanitarian assistance.
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, said that the needs are “driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability”, with the compounding effects of flooding, disease outbreaks, food insecurity and malnutrition deepening vulnerabilities.
Mr. Fall stated this in Abuja at the launch of the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), where he was joined by the Federal Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, high-level representatives of the diplomatic corps and senior officials from diverse government agencies as well as national and international non-governmental organizations.
Professor Yilwatda highlighted the growing humanitarian needs in north-west and north-central Nigeria.
He called for combined humanitarian, development and peacebuilding efforts for that region as well.
“This will enable us to get humanitarian efforts translated into durable solutions that can move people out of poverty and provide livelihoods to reach sustainable development,” he said.
Yilwatda said that the restructured Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction was committed to timely, effective life-saving humanitarian responses and poverty reduction.
“We will continue to coordinate interventions at all levels, ensuring they align with national humanitarian and poverty-reduction priorities,” he said.
In their remarks, the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, and the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaboration with the UN and partners to address pressing humanitarian needs and foster sustainable development.
Given declining global funding for humanitarian efforts, the 2025 Nigeria HNRP aims at strengthening efficiency in the delivery of aid.
This includes acting before disaster strikes, through anticipatory action to events such as floods and disease outbreaks, to mitigate their impact. It also aims to increase direct funding to local partners on the frontline of the response and scaling up multipurpose cash assistance, as well as reducing transaction costs.
::Urgent funding and resources are required from donors and the Government to ensure that food and nutrition assistance and other urgent support is provided to people in critical need.”
UN
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the six Area Council Chairmen of lacking basic human conscience over their refusal to pay primary school teachers and other council workers their rightful wages.
Wike stated this while responding to questions from journalists at the site of project inspection on what he was doing to end the ongoing LEA industrial action in Abuja.
The question follows the earlier protests staged at the front gate of FCTA Secretariat by the joint Area Council workers and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over non- payment of new minimum wage and arrears.
Wike condemned the Chairmen for ignoring the plight of striking workers, particularly teachers, who have downed tools in protest of the prolonged non-payment of the minimum wage.
The minister who expressed shock that the chairmen still failed to pay their workers even after his fund approval as an intervention to settle the workers, assured that he has however summoned them for a meeting to chat a new course forward.
“I don’t know why people don’t have conscience that these are teachers who take care of our children, and you are happy that you are not paying them their salaries.
“It’s unfortunate, but we have to tell ourselves the simple truth. The Area Council Chairmen, after I have approved money to be sent to them, for them to be able to pay the teacher. They were unable to do that. In fact, I got the report yesterday(wednesday) and I have summon all of them.
“You see, that’s the problem we have in this country. By the time you apply the big stick now, people will be saying all kinds of things.” Wike noted.
Wike emphasized that the FCT Administration does not directly oversee the councils, hence the need for the Chairmen to fully take responsibility for the welfare of primary school teachers and other council workers.
“These are primary school teachers, not secondary school teachers. You know the responsibility of the councils, they are in charge of the primary schools.So, I will summon them to a meeting”.
The minister appealed to the aggrieved workers and the NUT to be patience as he works to bring the FCT Area Chairmen to the table.
Earlier, Wike had inspected key ongoing projects including the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), the Interchange at the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), and the Life Camp Junction-N5-Ring Road 3 Expressway and expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being done by the contractors.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction over the unauthorized subletting of part of the International Conference Centre (ICC) furniture project contract.
Wike expressed the displeasure during an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation of ICC and the N16 road in Gishiri, Abuja.
The contract, originally awarded to Julius Berger, reportedly had its furniture component reassigned to another firm by the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) without the minister’s approval.
Dr Wike who described the development as unacceptable, immediately summoned the contractor and top FCTA officials for further investigation, to guard against compromising quality .
“The job was given to Julius Berger entirely. I cannot have different qualities. We cannot say that the floor up is furnished by Julius Berger and down is furnished by another company. It is not acceptable to me.
“I have invited Julius Berger, I have invited the Executive Secretary of the FCDA and the MD of the Abuja Investments Company Limited to know who did that, and if anybody is found culpable, of course, I must have to apply the big stick.
Dr Wike,commended the quality of the overall work, and expressed confidence that the contractors would meet their deadlines before the end of May.
“I believe, by the grace of God, they are meeting up for the second anniversary of Mr President. Quality job done. I am sure those who live within this neighborhood are happy with what they are seeing now.
“I am not doubting the quality of work there. What I have said is that the quality of work generally is very fine. How they removed the furnishing of the conference hall from Julius Berger is what I do not know.
“And so, that is why I summoned the Acting ES, FCDA, and the GMD of Abuja Investments Company Limited and Julius Berger, to come and tell us who did that, and also on whose approval, because I approve and I know the amount of money, Nobody will be a sacred cow”.Wike added.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on Muslims across Nigeria to use the Ramadan fasting period as a time for fervent prayers for the nation’s peace and unity.
He also encouraged them to embrace the teachings of Islamic scholars during this sacred period.
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike emphasized the importance of prayer, particularly among Muslims in the FCT, for the well-being of the country.
“Fasting, as one of the five pillars of Islam, should not only be about abstaining from food and drink but also a time for deep reflection and intense prayers for the nation,” he said.
He urged Muslims to open their hearts and minds to the Tafsir (interpretation) of the Holy Month of Ramadan, allowing themselves to be guided by its teachings.
The Minister congratulated the Muslim faithful on witnessing the beginning of the 30-day fast and prayed for their strength to complete the sacred period.
“I wish all Muslim faithful a Ramadan filled with joy, unity, and spiritual fulfillment. May your ibadah be accepted by Allah (SWT), and may this holy month bring peace, prosperity, and abundant blessings to us all. Ramadan Mubarak,” Wike added.
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