Nigeria is experiencing a deepening humanitarian crisis as violence spreads far beyond its historically conflict-affected regions. While the northeast has long suffered from the Boko Haram insurgency, insecurity now affects much of the country, displacing millions and leaving communities without access to basic services. Mohamed Malik Fall, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, emphasized that insecurity can no longer be associated with any single region, warning that the crisis is pervasive across Nigeria.
The conflict began in 2009 with Boko Haram and later splinter factions such as ISIS-West Africa, resulting in more than 40,000 deaths, the destruction of schools, health centres, and agricultural lands, and the long-term displacement of over two million people in the northeast alone. The crisis has eroded livelihoods and economic activity, leaving affected communities struggling to preserve dignity and access basic means of survival.
Violence has expanded into Nigeria’s northwest, where armed groups engaging in kidnappings and extortion have displaced around one million people. In the central belt, clashes between farmers and herders over land, exacerbated by climate pressures, have caused further displacement. Separatist movements and attacks linked to oil production also continue to destabilize communities. Across Nigeria, an estimated 3.5 million people are internally displaced, accounting for nearly 10 percent of Africa’s total displacement.
Recent attacks on churches and Christian schools have drawn international attention, reviving claims of a “Christian genocide.” High-profile incidents, such as the abduction of over 160 worshippers in Kaduna State in January, echo previous tragedies like the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl kidnappings. However, the UN cautions against framing the violence as targeting a single religious group, noting that the majority of victims are Muslims and that attacks have indiscriminately affected people of all religions and ethnicities.
The humanitarian toll is massive, particularly in the northeast, where 7.2 million people require aid, with nearly six million in critical condition. Food insecurity is a pressing concern, with projections suggesting that up to 36 million Nigerians may face food shortages in the coming months. Children under five are especially vulnerable, with more than 3.5 million at risk of acute malnutrition. The crisis is compounded by climate shocks, recurrent disease outbreaks, and fragile healthcare infrastructure.
Despite the growing needs, funding for humanitarian operations in Nigeria has sharply declined, dropping from nearly $1 billion annually a few years ago to under $200 million projected for 2026. The UN is urging both international donors and Nigerian authorities to scale up support, emphasizing the need for solutions that empower communities economically rather than fostering dependency on aid.
Nigeria’s crisis highlights the paradox of Africa’s largest economy confronting challenges typically associated with less-resourced states. The UN stresses that while international assistance remains vital, the primary responsibility for addressing humanitarian needs lies with the Nigerian government, which must take greater ownership of response efforts to protect its population and support long-term recovery.
