Plan International Nigeria Research Exposes Devastating Impact of Humanitarian Funding Cuts on Youth

Plan International’s "Put Us at the Center" report reveals how humanitarian funding cuts are driving school dropouts and hunger in Northeast Nigeria.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 7:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from THE AUTHORITY

Prioritizing Youth Voices in Humanitarian Research

Plan International Nigeria has officially launched a landmark research report titled "Put Us at the Center," which focuses on the direct consequences of humanitarian funding withdrawals. Unlike traditional expert-led assessments, this study utilizes a people-centered methodology that prioritizes the lived experiences of children and adolescents over specialist analysis. Tunde Aremu, the Policy Research and Influencing Manager at Plan International Nigeria, explained that the report aims to highlight the tangible reality of reduced aid in emergency contexts. By placing young individuals at the heart of the conversation, the organization seeks to provide a more accurate reflection of the humanitarian landscape in the region.

Consultative Scope Across Northeast Nigeria

The research involved extensive consultations with 132 respondents categorized into three distinct age groups: children aged 8 to 12, adolescents aged 13 to 17, and youth aged 18 to 24. These participants were drawn from Borno State, Adamawa State, and Yobe State, areas that have been significantly impacted by long-term instability. The study explored their unique interactions with humanitarian assistance, identifying critical gaps in service delivery and documenting their expectations from local and international decision-makers. This initiative in Nigeria is part of a broader global effort by Plan International that also includes similar youth-led research in Mali, Uganda, and Ukraine.

Identifying Core Priorities and Service Gaps

Findings from the report indicate that young people in the Northeast consistently prioritize four key sectors: safe and quality education, food security and livelihoods, child protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene, or WASH. Despite these clear preferences, the study identifies a significant accountability gap within the humanitarian sector. Participants noted that while they are frequently consulted by aid organizations, their specific inputs rarely influence the final design of programs or policy decisions. This exclusion from the final decision-making process remains a persistent barrier to effective and inclusive humanitarian response in the region.