The United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for $910 million to address a worsening humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria.
The region, gripped by an insurgency since 2009 and ravaged by severe flooding last year, faces dire challenges. According to UN documents, 7.8 million people in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states are in need of assistance.
The UN aims to provide aid to 3.6 million people, marking this crisis as the costliest in West and Central Africa. The appeal surpasses funding needs for crises in Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Nigeria’s economic turmoil further deepens the crisis, with inflation at a 30-year high due to soaring food prices. The nation’s northeast, already struggling with security challenges, risks being overshadowed by global humanitarian focus on Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan.
A joint report by the Nigerian government and the UN in November warned of a severe hunger crisis. More than 30 million Nigerians are expected to face food insecurity in 2025, heightening the urgency of international support.
President Bola Tinubu’s recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange controls, have faced criticism. Many believe these measures have exacerbated the economic woes of millions of Nigerians.
Tinubu argues the reforms are necessary for long-term economic stability, but immediate relief remains elusive for many citizens.
The UN’s appeal underscores the critical need for global solidarity to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in one of Africa’s most vulnerable regions.