The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the 2026 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), signalling a strategic shift from emergency relief to prevention, resilience building, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday at the UN House Auditorium in Abuja, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, said the country had reached a critical turning point in its humanitarian response and must move away from recurring crisis management toward long-term solutions that reduce vulnerability and poverty.
Dr. Doro commended the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and other humanitarian partners for their collaboration with the Federal Government in developing the 2026 plan and responding to humanitarian crises nationwide. He also acknowledged the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed M. Fall, as well as the contributions of donors, civil society organisations, and community-based actors.
He noted that humanitarian interventions over the years had been instrumental in saving lives and easing suffering caused by conflict, displacement, climate shocks, and food insecurity, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. However, he stressed that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, humanitarian assistance must increasingly serve as a bridge to recovery and sustainable development rather than a permanent response.
According to the minister, the 2026 HNRP represents a decisive shift toward prevention, preparedness, recovery, and durable solutions, in line with Nigeria’s national development priorities. He said the Federal Government would continue to provide leadership in humanitarian coordination to ensure that interventions align with national policies, strengthen institutions at all levels, and contribute directly to poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
Dr. Doro identified prevention and preparedness as key priorities, calling for stronger early warning systems, anticipatory action, and risk-informed planning to address predictable crises in a more humane and cost-effective manner. He also emphasised localisation as a central pillar of the government’s approach, noting that Nigerian institutions, civil society organisations, women-led and youth-led groups, and community structures must play leading roles in response and recovery efforts.
On displacement, the minister underscored the need for durable solutions, stressing that humanitarian assistance should not substitute for governance or development. He said efforts must focus on restoring livelihoods, expanding access to basic services, strengthening social protection systems, and addressing the root causes of vulnerability, including poverty and exclusion.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, describing it as critical to ensuring that humanitarian investments translate into lasting improvements in people’s lives while promoting peace and social cohesion.
As Nigeria begins a phased humanitarian transition, the government called on international partners to continue supporting nationally led frameworks aligned with the country’s priorities. Dr. Doro expressed appreciation for international support while reiterating Nigeria’s resolve to lead its humanitarian and poverty reduction agenda.
The 2026 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan outlines priority actions aimed at protecting lives, restoring dignity, and building resilient communities across the country.
