The United Nations’ World Food Programme has approved a $2.56billion food support programme for Nigeria for five years under a new Country Strategic Plan (CSP), which covers the Northeast, Northwest and states hosting Cameroonian refugees.
The Strategic Plan, ratified by the WFP Executive Board defines its entire portfolio of assistance within the country for 2023-2027.
The Plan is designed to support Nigeria in achieving food security and improved nutrition by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2).
Unveiling the Plan at a joint media briefing with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in Abuja on Wednesday, WFP Representative & Country, Director David Stevenson, said the CSP also has other objectives aside from Zero Hunger.
He said: “The CSP also seeks to contribute to progress in good health and wellbeing, inclusive education, gender equality and climate action and foster a reinforced partnership in strengthening the national humanitarian and development response, all in accordance with the SDGs.
“WFP’s support is delivered through lifesaving crisis response and life-changing resilience building activities – together with technical assistance and policy advice to help maximize the return on the government’s investment in food security and nutrition.” Check us at, sportakvimi.
He also informed that the Plan became effective from March 2023, and aligns with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021-2025), Nigeria Agenda (2050), the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition (2021-2025), and the National Humanitarian Development Peace Framework.
He added that the CSP is also consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Nigeria (2023-2027).
“As WFP, we deliver humanitarian frontline results. With our partners who share our goal of Zero Hunger in Nigeria, we go where others do not go, in line with our mandate of ‘Saving Lives, Changing Lives’,” he said.
The CSP also seeks to contribute to progress in good health and wellbeing, inclusive education, gender equality and climate action and foster a reinforced partnership in strengthening the national humanitarian and development response, all in accordance with the SDGs.
Investments in Nigeria
According to Stevenson, WFP has made significant investments in the Nigerian economy, and expends over $775,000 daily through its food system. “We purchase right here in Nigeria over 90 per cent of the food WFP distributes to vulnerable persons in the country.”
He however noted that the resources for WFP operations derive solely from voluntary contributions. Therefore, disbursements under the CSP are dependent on the level of resources provided by donors to WFP.
He encouraged donors to be more supportive, while host governments are expected to contribute to the costs of WFP country offices in accordance with WFP Financial Regulations.
Regarding its work in Nigeria, Stevenson admitted that WFP’s biggest contributions are in the northeast and increasingly in the northwest in view of the conflicts in the regions.
“I like also to mention WFP’s contributions to other durable solutions like support to smallholder farmers; financial services; supply chain, support to the transport industry; social protection; post-harvest management and food security analyses.”
Despite these contributions, the WFP Country Director, noted that conflicts in the northern regions continue to spike food insecurity.
Accordingly, the WDP projects that over 25 million people will face acute hunger at the peak of the June – August 2023 lean season.
“In Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states alone, some 4.4 million people are projected to face acute hunger at the peak of the lean season this year.
“Some 2 million children are projected to be acutely malnourished in the northeast states alone. Permit me to say that humanitarian aid has not kept pace with this sharp rise in hunger levels,” he said.
He added that “Overall, WFP is assisting some 2.1 million vulnerable people in Nigeria in 2023 – through food assistance and nutrition support, cash payments and livelihood projects to help build back the resilience of the people affected by conflict.”
