The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded the alarm over a looming humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, warning that a critical N240bn ($160m) funding gap threatens essential health, nutrition, education, and water projects across the country.
During the 2025 World Humanitarian Day commemoration in Maiduguri, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Francis Butichi, revealed that the organisation had received only $95m of the $255m required, leaving a 67% shortfall.
“The impact of global funding cuts is profoundly crushing at the local level, where conflict, climate change, and disease outbreaks are recurrent,” Butichi said.
Humanitarian impact on vulnerable Nigerians
The shortage could cripple life-saving programmes for millions already affected by conflict, displacement, malnutrition, and flooding in Nigeria’s northern states.
1.3 million people reached with health services so far in 2025.
340,000 children treated for severe acute malnutrition.
185,000 people provided with access to safe water.
500,000 displaced children enrolled in schools.
Butichi stressed that these achievements could stall without urgent funding, adding:
“Life-saving nutrition, immunisation, health and protection services must not stop. The needs are many, and support from all — government, donors, and the private sector — is vital.”
Northern states respond to UNICEF crisis
Some northern state governments have begun taking steps to cushion the looming impact:
Gombe State: Proactive budgetary allocations for healthcare, education, and out-of-school children ahead of donor cuts.
Kebbi State: Paid counterpart funding to sustain UNICEF programmes despite funding gaps.
Sokoto State: Governor Ahmed Aliyu approved N500m in counterpart funding to support UNICEF-backed projects.
Jigawa State: Officials admit funding shortages could hit immunisation, nutrition, and clean water supply hard but are intensifying partnerships with civil society groups.
Funding shortfall could worsen displacement crisis
UNICEF noted that recurrent floods, food insecurity, and security challenges in the North-East and North-West have left millions vulnerable. A further cut in aid could fuel malnutrition, disease outbreaks, and child protection concerns.
Humanitarian experts warn that without fresh commitments, Nigeria risks:
A surge in child malnutrition deaths.
School dropout crisis among displaced children.
Rising water-borne diseases due to lack of clean water.
Deepening poverty and displacement in conflict zones.
Call to action: Global donors, private sector, and citizens urged to act
Butichi appealed to international donors, Nigerian businesses, and individuals to scale up support for humanitarian operations.
“We call on everyone to get involved — through donations, volunteering, or advocacy. Vulnerable communities cannot be abandoned.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian analysts say the private sector’s involvement could be game-changing in bridging the funding gap, especially in education and healthcare delivery.
