In a move that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s humanitarian sector, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) is preparing to shut down its operations in the country.
This significant development was confirmed by Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe, during a Validation Workshop on the Anticipatory Action Framework held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja.
Professor Goshwe revealed that the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, personally informed him of UNOCHA’s decision to exit.
While commending the agency’s impactful work—especially in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northeastern region—he expressed deep concern over the timing of the withdrawal, citing ongoing humanitarian challenges such as floods, displacement, and insecurity that continue to affect millions of Nigerians.
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“The decision is truly unfortunate,” Goshwe noted, “especially considering the critical role UNOCHA has played in supporting vulnerable communities. We are facing daunting humanitarian issues, and this exit comes at a time when we need coordinated global support the most.”
Despite this setback, the Minister reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling disasters, including flooding, and improving emergency response mechanisms across the country.
UNOCHA’s exit from Nigeria isn’t an isolated event. The agency is facing a severe funding crunch on a global scale.
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In a recent letter to staff posted on the organization’s website, UNOCHA head Tom Fletcher disclosed plans to reduce its global workforce by 20%—approximately 500 of its 2,600 employees—and scale back operations in nine countries. Nigeria is among those affected, alongside Cameroon, Colombia, Eritrea, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Turkey, and Zimbabwe.
Fletcher described the planned cuts as “brutal but necessary,” pointing to a staggering $60 million funding shortfall projected for 2025. Despite months of cost-saving measures, including a hiring freeze and travel restrictions that saved $3.7 million, the agency still finds itself in a financial bind.
“The humanitarian community was already underfunded, overstretched, and literally under attack,” Fletcher wrote. “Now, we face a wave of brutal cuts—not because needs have diminished, but because resources have.”
UNOCHA plans to consolidate its operations and focus its efforts on fewer countries where it can provide more robust and comprehensive humanitarian responses. The organization insists that the decision to reduce its presence is strictly budgetary and not a reflection of the severity or urgency of needs in the countries affected.
UNOCHA’s withdrawal will undoubtedly leave a vacuum in Nigeria’s humanitarian architecture, especially in regions grappling with long-term insecurity, natural disasters, and poverty.
The agency has been instrumental in coordinating relief efforts, supporting displaced populations, and providing critical data and logistical support to both governmental and non-governmental actors.
As Nigeria faces increasing climate-related disasters and ongoing regional instability, the need for coordinated humanitarian action has never been more pressing.
The challenge now lies in how the government and local stakeholders will adapt to this transition and continue to provide lifesaving assistance in the absence of one of the world’s leading humanitarian agencies.
The road ahead may be difficult, but Professor Goshwe emphasized that Nigeria remains committed to addressing its humanitarian challenges with resilience and determination. Whether through domestic policy reform, international partnerships, or strengthened local capacity, the country must now chart a new course—one that ensures no vulnerable community is left behind.
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