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The Nigerian government announced on Tuesday its plan to take on a larger role in coordinating nationwide humanitarian aid, shifting away from a system heavily dominated by international donors and United Nations agencies.
Officials initiated talks in the capital of Abuja to transfer the planning, financing, and coordination of these critical operations directly to national institutions.
Nigeria is strengthening national leadership in humanitarian coordination.
The FG, alongside @OCHANigeria and partners, has commenced the Humanitarian Transition Workshop to advance a nationally owned, locally led and sustainable humanitarian coordination system. pic.twitter.com/OAXs43gJHl— Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs (@fmha_pa) July 14, 2026
Humanitarian Minister Bernard Doro clarified that the transition does not mean international partners are withdrawing.
Instead, Nigeria will lead the coordination of relief efforts while continuing to receive technical backing from the UN.
Doro added that the government aims to take full charge of designing its own national humanitarian response plan by 2027.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall supported the transition, stating that the new model will leverage more local government and private-sector funding.
The strategic shift comes as global aid budgets shrink, leaving nearly 35 million Nigerians at risk of hunger and forcing the country to strengthen its own capacity to manage conflict, displacement, and severe climate shocks.
