Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu has unveiled the federal government’s sustainable national response strategy to bridge the growing humanitarian gap in the country.
Dr. Sununu stated this during a World Press conference in Abuja to cushion the impact of the partial suspension of operations by the World Food Programme (WFP) in Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the partial suspension by the WFP, largely due to severe funding gaps, has triggered concerns over food insecurity, malnutrition, and displacement, especially in the conflict-prone North-East and, North-West regions.
According to Sununu, while WFP previously reached 1.3 million vulnerable individuals, the number is to drop drastically to 725,000 by next month, leaving a critical gap of 575,000 persons-roughly 115,000 households-without assistance.
He predicted a surge in hunger, malnutrition, and forced migration if not addressed urgently.
His words: “The ripple effect of the suspension of WFP operations is alarming and may result in heightened food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among children and women. Already, 150 nutrition clinics in Borno and other states shutting down, leaving nearly 300,000 children at risk of wasting. ”
Sununu further disclosed that the government is considering a special emergency intervention fund to augment existing humanitarian programmes to address the crisis. He also stated that the intervention would also include strategic partnerships with international organisations, the organised private sector, and state governments.
“We are already in talks with private sector players, who supported Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their readiness to partner with us again will be critical in closing the humanitarian gap,” he added.
He also noted that among the immediate steps being taken to close the humanitarian gap is the disbursement of interest-free loans of N300,000 each to 21,000 smallholder farmers nationwide under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), aimed at strengthening local agricultural production, particularly during the dry season.
He further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorised the unfreezing of the National Social Investment programme Agency (NSIPA) accounts, move that has led to the disbursement of N494 billon to support five million vulnerable households across the country.
According to the Minister of State, the restoration of NSIPA’s financial operations follows a period of suspension that began on January 8, 2024, when President Tinubu directed an immediate halt to activities at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. At the time, the President also suspended Minister Betta Edu and ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to conduct a comprehensive probe into financial dealings within the Ministry and its affiliated agencies.
Sununu also revealed that the President had appointed a reform committee led by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. The panel he stated was tasked with diagnosing the structural and financial challenges within the social investment framework and recommending lasting solutions aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring that the programmes serve their intended Beneficiaries.
During his speech at a recent press conference, the Minister of State confirmed that the account has now been reopened following a directive from the President. He noted that funds have already begun to flow back into the agency, enabling the resumption of key intervention programmes under the NSIPA umbrella.
According to Dr. Sununu, over N500 billion has been allocated under the 2025 Service Wide Vote to support initiatives such as the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer, N-Power training, and Farmer Enterprise and Empowerment Programme will also resume as part of the revitalization strategy.
In addition, he stated that the has engaged 53 companies to assist in updating the national social register by verifying Beneficiaries’ National Identity Numbers, Bank Verification Numbers, and account details, ensuring transparency and efficiency in disbursement.
The Minister also expressed appreciation for €1.5 million donation from the European Union aimed at supporting internally displaced persons in Benue State and nutritional care for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
The Minister of State further stated that plans are also underway to roll out the Grant for Vulnerable Groups, an initiative designed to deepen support for those in extreme poverty.
According to Dr. Sununu, the administration President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent steps reflect a broader strategy to reform Nigeria’s social welfare framework and reinforce the credibility of state-funded humanitarian interventions.
Earlier in his opening remarks during the press conference, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata stressed that the WFP and other UN agencies have had to reduce their activities due to various challenges.
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