Abuja, 19 August 2025 – to mark World Humanitarian Day, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Honourable Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall, today issued a joint communiqué calling for better protection of humanitarian workers and the civilians they serve as well as respect for international humanitarian law. The communiqué also advocated for additional resources to address alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria. Additionally, it highlighted the collective commitment by the Government of Nigeria and humanitarian partners to transition the aid operation to become more locally led using local resources, to the extent possible.
Globally humanitarianism is under attack, said Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall. “Violations of international humanitarian law are widespread, and aid workers are increasingly targeted. Last year and this year have seen the highest number of aid worker casualties in decades. Attacks on health care and civilian facilities are now commonplace. This must stop.”
Global solidarity is also at its lowest and humanitarian financing is collapsing. “We must therefore transform humanitarian operations to be more efficient, transparent, and accountable. In Nigeria, this means redefining our relationship with local actors, Government, and civil society to ensure they lead humanitarian efforts,” said Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Fall.
In the joint communiqué, the Government of Nigeria committed to increase funding for humanitarian interventions. It will also promote linkages between humanitarian, development and peace efforts to ensure more durable, efficient and effective interventions.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Sununu said that the Government had approved funds for emergency food and nutrition assistance to support vulnerable people. “We [also] recognise the critical role of partnerships in humanitarian response, and we call on stakeholders, including international partners, non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector, to collaborate in the fight against poverty and humanitarian crises,” he said.
On its part, the humanitarian community in Nigeria committed to fully support humanitarian response and action under the leadership of the Government and to ensure a transition from the direct delivery of humanitarian aid to an enabling role for local actors, preserving core functions such as humanitarian diplomacy, coordination, protection, and the upholding of humanitarian principles.
Together, the Government and humanitarian partners committed to ensure a smooth transition to a locally led, implemented and resourced operation, with the Government of Nigeria ensuring that humanitarian partners are able to work in accordance with humanitarian principles in conflict affected areas.
This year’s World Humanitarian Day theme, ‘Act for Humanity’, builds on the global campaign launched in 2024. Its core message is a reminder to protect those who save lives, uphold international humanitarian law, and secure funding for lifelines. In Nigeria, this message resonates with particular urgency due to declining international funding for humanitarian assistance amid increased insecurity for civilians and aid workers.