Nigeria Aims for $5 Billion Annually in Humanitarian Funding

The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and various development partners, has set an ambitious target to raise $5 billion annually for the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund.

The announcement came following a high-stakes humanitarian coordination meeting at the United Nations House in Abuja.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, emphasized the need for a unified and sustainable approach to address humanitarian challenges in Nigeria.

“The meeting… brought all the humanitarian responders in Nigeria under one roof, where they all committed to a durable, smart, and coordinated approach to humanitarian response,” stated the ministry.

Edu conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s gratitude to UN agencies and development partners for their contributions, urging a more coordinated effort to maximize impact.

She stressed the government’s commitment to reducing poverty by 50 percent and the importance of coordinated responses to humanitarian crises.

Matthias Schmale, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, pledged UN agencies’ support in proper coordination, resource mobilization, and alignment with the Federal Government’s priorities.

The collaboration signals a strategic shift toward more efficient and accountable humanitarian efforts, aligning with Nigeria’s broader goal of reducing poverty and ensuring a coordinated response to pressing challenges.