UN Office For Humanitarian Action To End Activities In Nigeria In 2026
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will end its activities in Nigeria in 2026 due to funding constraints, the Head of the organisation, Mr Trond Jensen, has said.
Jensen however said the organisation will still operate remotely and make periodic deployments to support humanitarian action, local ownership, and long-term resilience despite the funding challenges.
“We are not leaving entirely, but our footprint will shrink,” thr official clarified.
The OCHA, who made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni in Damaturu, said major donors have either completely stopped or reduced their funding support by half.
The countries, he said, include the United States which had announced total stoppage of critical funding; the UK, 40% reduction; and Germany and the Netherlands, 50% cuts.
Jensen expressed concern that cut in critical funding of humanitarian activities came when there is a surge in the need for the intervention.
He particularly said that presently, the ability of the organisation to treat malnutrition in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states has been reduced by half, just as the number of severely malnourished children has doubled from 500,000 to 1 million this year.
“This is a life-or-death situation requiring urgent collaboration,” the UN team leader said while appreciating the operational support, including office space provided to the OCHA by Yobe State Government.
The UN official said there should be stronger partnerships between local governments and NGOs to fill the gap.
He praised Yobe’s Durable Solutions Group for allocating 25% of its budget to displaced populations, and emphasised the need for “more efficient, transparent systems” to sustain operations.
In his response, Governor Buni said “Yobe remains committed to rebuilding conflict-affected communities, ensuring dignified returns for IDPs with access to farmlands, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure”.
He reaffirmed the administration’s readiness to innovate amid the funding gaps.
