Bukola Afeni
Across Nigeria, food insecurity is reaching alarming levels. In northern Nigeria alone, years of conflict and displacement have severely disrupted livelihoods. Millions of people remain in displacement camps due to ongoing insecurity. Unable to farm, they rely almost entirely on humanitarian assistance. Lingering conflict and insecurity, rising prices of fuel and other essential commodities have made it increasingly difficult to meet growing needs, leaving several families struggling to have even one full meal a day.
To support the most vulnerable, the Government of Japan has contributed resources to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide critical food assistance in northeast Nigeria.
For people like Hadiza, a 30yearold mother of four and a widow from Borno, the conflict in the northeast is deeply personal. “After years of displacement and loss, the support I receive from WFP is helping me to care for my children and rebuild our lives,” she said. “This food assistance is a lifeline for my little ones and I.”
Itaru Furata, WFP Nigeria’s Programme Policy Officer stated: “Japan’s support comes at a critical moment, as millions of people in northern Nigeria face unprecedented levels of hunger, offering much needed assistance to families struggling to survive. We do not take this support for granted and call on other donors to follow suit in joining our mission to save the lives of the most vulnerable.”
Despite escalating insecurity, WFP continues its frontline emergency response efforts, delivering critical humanitarian interventions to communities most affected by conflict, displacement, and climate shocks. As the world’s largest humanitarian organization, WFP plays a pivotal role in stabilising vulnerable populations through food assistance, supporting recovery and fostering pathways toward peace, resilience, and long-term prosperity. For the past 10 years,operations have been sustained across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, where insecurity and environmental pressures have severely disrupted food systems, market access, and livelihoods.
With needs intensifying, there is a growing call for donors and partners to step forward. This is not just a humanitarian issue. When people are left without support, the consequences go far beyond hunger. It affects stability. It affects security. It increases the risk of people being forced to move or even being drawn into armed groups.
Humanitarian assistance, especially food assistance and the impact of WFP’s work on local markets, has been a critical factor in helping to stabilize communities. At a time when needs are increasing, we cannot afford to scale back.
