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UN Says US396 million Needed Urgently to Avert Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast

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3 years ago

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UN Says US396 million Needed Urgently to Avert Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations has said US$396 million is urgently needed to salvage a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the nation’s Northeast.

The UN decried that should something not urgently be done to address the situation, humanitarian partners will only reach about 300,000 of the 4.3 million at-risk people in need of food assistance in the troubled Northeast region of Nigeria during the lean season.

A statement on Thursday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) after the Launch of the Lean Season Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Multi-sector Plan 2023 said: “To prevent a widespread hunger and malnutrition crisis in north-east Nigeria from turning fully catastrophic US$396 million is urgently needed to scale up humanitarian action in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states.”

The UN decried that: “More than half a million people may face emergency levels of food insecurity, with extremely high rates of acute malnutrition and cases of mortality if there is no rapid and significant scale up of humanitarian assistance.

It estimated two million children under five in the three states are likely to face wasting this year, insisting that: “This is the most immediate and life-threatening form of malnutrition. Some 700,000 children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition – meaning that they are 11 times more likely to die compared to well-nourished children. They need immediate action to survive.”

The UN claimed that: “The deepening food crisis and worrying malnutrition levels are the result of years of protracted conflict and insecurity which continue to prevent more than two million people from returning home. A combination of fuel and food inflation, a naira cash crisis earlier in the year, and climate shocks (such as the record floods in Nigeria in 2022) are among factors that have worsened the crisis.”

The Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale was quoted to have said: “I have seen firsthand the anguish of mothers fighting for the lives of their malnourished infants in our partner-run stabilization centres. This is a situation no one should have to face,” adding that: “I have spoken with children who described going for days without eating enough. Mothers who said their children go to bed crying from hunger. Families struggling to feed their families as they have gone for months without receiving food assistance.”

He lamented that this may become the unfortunate reality for millions of food-insecure people in the BAY states unless resources and funding are urgently mobilized, adding that if additional funding is not received, humanitarian partners will only reach about 300,000 of the 4.3 million at-risk people in need of food assistance during the peak of the lean season. As more people in urgent need of food aid go unassisted, there will be an increased risk of starvation and death.

With the current limited resources, nearly 3.4 million people will not be reached with agricultural livelihood support, including farming inputs such as fertilizers. This funding gap is critical for agricultural livelihoods sustaining over 80 per cent of the vulnerable people across the BAY states. A critical part of addressing the food crisis is to enable people to grow their own food.

The statement revealed that the World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up its operations to assist 2.1 million people with emergency food and nutrition supplies, noting that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and nutrition partners aim to provide life-saving nutrition services to over one million malnourished children, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) planning to reach two million people with seed packages to secure cereal production for the upcoming harvest.

“While we continue to work together to stave off catastrophe, the sheer scale of the food and nutrition crisis means that humanitarian assistance is critical right now,” said the Country Representative and Country Director of WFP in Nigeria, Mr. David Stevenson, was quoted to have said.

The Country Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate, called for concerted efforts to protect children. She said: “We have the power to make a difference in the lives of these children. With your support, we can prevent more children from suffering from malnutrition and give them a chance at a healthy and happy future.”

The FAO representative to Nigeria, Mr. Fred Kafeero, warned that the upcoming lean season may worsen food insecurity among vulnerable households without access to agricultural livelihood options. He said: “FAO requires funding to reach two million people with urgent food and livelihood assistance in the form of critical production inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and livelihood assets including small ruminants and poultry, and the corresponding skills to save lives, and protect and rebuild livelihoods.”

According to the statement, with the lean season coinciding with the rainy season, humanitarian partners are also concerned about outbreaks of diseases, such as acute watery diarrhoea, cholera and malaria, which will only aggravate the situation of malnourished children. Children suffering from malnutrition are at higher risk of dying from common infections.

The statement said the US$396 million in funding will enable humanitarian organisations to swiftly expand food and nutrition assistance, along with supplementary interventions such as clean water and sanitation, healthcare, protection and logistics in the BAY states.

And to kickstart the response to the food security and nutrition crisis in north-east Nigeria, the UN has released a combined $18 million. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Martin Griffiths, has allocated $9 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and Humanitarian Coordinator Schmale will be disbursing a further $9 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF).

“These CERF and NHF funds, however, account for less than five per cent of what humanitarian organizations require to address the most urgent food and nutrition needs. Significant additional and early funding is urgently needed,” said Mr. Schmale. “As we have seen in previous years, early funding can help pull food insecure people back from the brink.”

UN Says US396 million Needed Urgently to Avert Catastrophic Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast

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International

UK, Nigeria Deepen Digital Cooperation Through Benchmarking and Knowledge Exchange

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1 week ago

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November 27, 2025

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UK, Nigeria Deepen Digital Cooperation Through Benchmarking and Knowledge Exchange

By: Michael Mike

The United Kingdom and Nigeria have advanced their strategic partnership through a high-level international benchmarking and knowledge exchange tour focused on end-to-end clearance of IT projects and procurement of public digital products and services.

Hosted by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), through its Digital Access Programme, in collaboration with leading UK digital governance institutions, including Government Digital Service (GDS), Public Digital, Crown Commercial Service (CCS), British Standards Institute, and the FCDO Cyber Policy Department, the programme brought together senior officials from Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), for a week-long engagement in London from 23 to 28 November 2025.

The programme built on the UK–Nigeria Strategic Partnership’s pillars of economic development, governance reform, and technology cooperation, ensuring that both countries leverage digital innovation to drive inclusive growth and secured public services.

A statement on Wednesday by FCDA said for Nigeria, this engagement will inform the enhancement of NITDA’s IT Project Clearance, improve procurement efficiency, and embed global best practices in cybersecurity, digital and data governance of public digital services. This engagement reinforces the UK’s role as a trusted partner for Nigeria’s inclusive digital transformation journey as well as open access to the UK technology supply chain for the Nigerian market.

While delivering the opening remarks, Kashifu Inuwa Abduallahi, NITDA Director General represented by Dr Usman Gambo Abdulahi, the Director IT project Clearance Unit said: “At the heart of Nigeria’s reforms is our determination to improve government service delivery, reduce waste, strengthen cybersecurity, and build trust in public digital systems. Modernising the IT Projects Clearance process therefore is a key enabler to achieving this vision. I commend the UK’s FCDO through the Digital Access Programme for its consistent support to Nigeria’s digital transformation journey. I thank UK Government and its various departments for agreeing to share insights and expertise that will certainly strengthen our institutions and our nation’s governance capacity”.

The FCDO’s Director for International Science and Technology, Ros Eales, said:

“Nigeria is a key partner of the UK in the tech sector. Working with partner countries like Nigeria is to ensure that digital transformation works for all and is safe, secure, and sustainable. This becomes even more important in an era of rapid technological evolution, accelerated by AI, with all its benefits to reap and risks to manage.”

the British deputy high commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said: “The UK is proud to stand as a key partner to Nigeria, leveraging our expertise to drive knowledge exchange in digital governance and institutional reform. This technical collaboration underscores our longstanding commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation and to building strategic partnerships that deliver shared economic growth for both nations.”

Head of Digital Development in FCDO London, and global lead of the UK Digital Access programme (DAP), Alessandra Lustrati, presented the Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 to the Nigerian delegation and highlighted the importance of supporting best practices in the digital transformation of government, to ensure digital services are accessible, open, and citizen-driven, within a safe and secure digital environment

UK, Nigeria Deepen Digital Cooperation Through Benchmarking and Knowledge Exchange

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International

United Kingdom, Canada, Australia Launch Campaign Against Visa Fraud

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2 weeks ago

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November 24, 2025

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United Kingdom, Canada, Australia Launch Campaign Against Visa Fraud

By: Michael Mike

The Diplomatic Missions of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have announced the launch of a coordinated international campaign to combat visa fraud and protect people from exploitation by fraudulent immigration facilitators.

According to a statement on Monday, the #FightingVisaFraud campaign was launched during International Fraud Awareness Week (16-22 November) and represents an unprecedented level of cooperation between the three countries to tackle a shared global threat that costs victims millions of pounds annually and puts vulnerable people at risk of exploitation, financial ruin and legal consequences.

The statement read: “Visa fraud and illegal immigration facilitation have reached alarming levels globally, with criminal networks using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive prospective visa applicants. Victims are often promised guaranteed visas, jobs without proper qualifications, or expedited processing in exchange for exorbitant fees. The reality is financial loss, visa refusals, travel bans and, in the worst cases, trafficking and exploitation.

“Our countries have identified common patterns of visa fraud affecting their immigration systems. This coordinated campaign demonstrates the three countries’ commitment to protecting legitimate visa applicants while maintaining the integrity of their immigration systems and secure borders.”

British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery said: “Visa fraud destroys dreams and devastates families. Criminal facilitators prey on people’s legitimate aspirations for a better life, stealing their money and putting them at risk of serious harm. Through this joint campaign with our international partners, we are sending a clear message: use only official channels, verify all advice, and report suspicious activity. The UK welcomes legitimate visa applications through proper routes – but those who attempt fraud face serious consequences, including 10-year travel bans.”

Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Pasquale Salvaggio added: “Canada is committed to working with our international partners to combat visa fraud and protect people from exploitation. This campaign reflects our shared values and determination to maintain fair, secure immigration systems while supporting those who seek to travel, study or work through legitimate pathways.”

The statement added: Our three countries urge prospective visa applicants to: Use only official government websites for visa information and applications; Verify immigration advisers are properly registered and regulated; Be suspicious of guarantees, no one can guarantee visa approval; Watch for warning signs including demands for excessive fees, pressure to pay quickly, promises of jobs without proper qualifications, or offers to bypass standard requirements; Report suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.

The statement advised applicants seeking legitimate information to visit: www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration (United Kingdom); immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – Canada.ca (Canada)

The statement warned that people who attempt to obtain a visa through fraudulent means face serious consequences, including visa application refusal, travel bans of up to 10 years, financial loss with no recourse, criminal charges in some jurisdictions, and exploitation and trafficking risks, noting that the three countries’ immigration authorities work closely with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute visa fraud and illegal facilitation.

United Kingdom, Canada, Australia Launch Campaign Against Visa Fraud

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International

Algeria Calls for Continued Development, Stronger Ties with Nigeria

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2 weeks ago

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November 19, 2025

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Algeria Calls for Continued Development, Stronger Ties with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to sustainable development and stronger ties with Nigeria.

He gave the commitment in Abuja at the commemoration of the 71st anniversary of the outbreak of the National Liberation Struggle and Algeria’s National Day celebration.

The event drew senior representatives of the Nigerian government, members of the diplomatic corps, legislators, and other distinguished guests.

In his address, Ambassador Mezoued paid homage to the more than five million Algerian martyrs who lost their lives during the 132-year anti-colonial struggle, noting that the November Revolution remains “an inexhaustible source of pride and patriotism” for the Algerian people.

He emphasized that Algeria’s victory in securing independence in 1962 laid the groundwork for a nation strongly focused on development. He said: “Since its independence, Algeria has implemented national strategies and major development projects that have yielded remarkable achievements in human, economic, social, and environmental spheres.”

The envoy while underlining the country’s economic strength, noted that Algeria is currently the third-largest economy in Africa, with a GDP estimated at around US$300 billion, and projections to reach US$400 billion by 2027, backed by positive macroeconomic indicators.

He stated that despite its economic ambitions, Algeria has maintained its social welfare commitments, claiming that citizens continue to enjoy free access to education and healthcare, along with government-supported efforts to ensure decent housing for all.

Mezoued’s message highlighted both the historical significance of Algeria’s struggle for independence and the nation’s forward-looking drive toward modernization and prosperity.

On his part, the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas expressed the country’s commitment to deepening diplomatic and parliamentary cooperation with Algeria as both nations continue to strengthen their longstanding ties.

The Speaker, who was represented by the Chairman of the Nigeria–Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group Committee, Hon. Abubakar Babazango, in goodwill message described the anniversary as a moment of deep significance for Algeria and the entire African continent. He paid tribute to the courage and resilience of the Algerian people, whose struggle for liberation, launched 71 years ago, remains “an enduring symbol of hope” for oppressed peoples worldwide.

He said: “This day reminds us of the unity and sacrifice of the Algerian people who rose with determination to reclaim their freedom and dignity.”

He highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Algeria, noting that both countries share a history of solidarity and a common vision for peace, development, and prosperity in Africa. He emphasized the role of the Nigeria–Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group in fostering collaboration across key sectors, including trade, education, energy, and cultural exchange.

He said: “As we mark this historic occasion, may the friendship between Nigeria and Algeria continue to grow in unity and progress.”

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, legislators, and other distinguished guests.

Algeria Calls for Continued Development, Stronger Ties with Nigeria

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