The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded the alarm on an impending humanitarian crisis in Nigeria due to a significant funding shortfall that threatens critical health, nutrition, education, and water projects across the country. As of now, UNICEF has received only $95 million out of the $255 million required for its 2025 operations, leaving a staggering $160 million (N240 billion) gap, which represents a 67% shortfall.
The funding crisis comes at a time when many communities in North-East Nigeria are grappling with floods and shrinking services in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Despite the constraints, UNICEF has managed to reach over 1.3 million people with health services, treat 340,000 children for severe malnutrition, provide safe water for 185,000 people, and enroll 500,000 displaced children in schools. However, the organization’s Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Francis Butichi, emphasized that life-saving services for conflict, flood, and displaced communities must not stop.
UNICEF is calling on the private sector, government, and donors to channel more support to local governments and civil society organizations that provide frontline services. Butichi urged collective action to address the funding gap, stating, “The needs are many.” He also highlighted the impact of global funding cuts on humanitarian operations worldwide, particularly at the local level where conflict, climate change, and disease outbreaks are recurrent.
Some northern state governments have taken proactive measures to cushion the effects of the looming funding crisis. Gombe State, for instance, has made budgetary provisions to support vulnerable populations, including special allocations for healthcare, education, and human capital development. Kebbi State has also paid its counterpart funding for UNICEF-backed programs and expressed commitment to sustaining these initiatives. Similarly, Sokoto State’s Governor Ahmed Aliyu recently approved N500 million as counterpart funding for UNICEF projects across key sectors. However, Jigawa State officials admitted that the funding gap could severely affect the delivery of critical health services.
The funding crisis could have devastating consequences for millions of children and vulnerable populations in Nigeria. With a growing number of people facing acute food insecurity, the situation demands immediate attention and collective action. As the crisis deepens, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to ensure that life-saving services continue uninterrupted, and the most vulnerable populations receive the support they need to survive and thrive.
