WFP Invests N7.4 Billion in Nigeria’s Social Safety Nets Amid Growing Food Insecurity

The WFP announces N7.4 billion investment in Nigeria's shock-response systems as food insecurity affects 35 million people. Read about the new 2026 scale-up plan.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 7:47 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the Peoples Gazette.

Strategic Financial Commitment to Address Decadelong Humanitarian Crises

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has revealed a significant financial injection into Nigeria’s humanitarian infrastructure, totaling N7.4 billion ($5 million) over the past year. Speaking at a workshop in Abuja on Thursday, April 16, 2026, WFP Acting Country Director Serigne Loum detailed how these funds were utilized to strengthen social safety nets and provide emergency relief. The investment comes at a critical time as the country continues to grapple with the combined effects of economic instability, persistent conflict in the Northeast, and increasingly severe environmental shocks.

North East Region Remains Epicenter of Food Insecurity Crisis

Data presented by the WFP highlights a sobering reality: no fewer than 35 million people in Nigeria are currently classified as food-insecure. The vast majority of these individuals reside in the North-East, where prolonged insurgency has disrupted agricultural cycles and local economies. In response, the WFP provided anticipatory support to 70,000 people in Adamawa State last year specifically to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding. For 2026, the agency aims to expand its reach to at least 80,000 people for anticipatory action, emphasizing the need for preventive measures before disasters strike.

Inauguration of Technical Working Group for Disaster Preparedness

A central outcome of the recent Abuja workshop was the inauguration of the Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) Technical Working Group. Organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, this group is tasked with validating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for emergency responses. By leveraging Nigeria’s existing social register—one of the largest in the region—the WFP intends to create a streamlined protocol that could serve as a peer-learning model for the rest of Africa. This system is designed to provide efficient, transparent, and adaptable aid to vulnerable households during sudden economic or environmental shifts.