Nigeria, UN to Deepen Humanitarian Collaboration Amid Rising Needs
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has pledged greater federal government support for United Nations-led humanitarian operations, signaling a strategic shift in how Nigeria partners with global aid organizations.
The commitment came during a high-level meeting between the Minister and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohamed Malick Fall, held at the Defence Ministry headquarters in Abuja.
Describing the engagement as “long overdue,” Badaru called for stronger inter-agency coordination, robust collaboration with international partners, and a return to sustainable development practices across key sectors such as health, education, water, and livelihoods.
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He emphasized that revitalizing Nigeria’s long-standing relationship with the UN is critical in addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development goals.
Drawing from his experience as a former state governor, Badaru noted how effective benchmarking and healthy inter-state competition once spurred improvements in social services delivery, particularly in water access, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
Responding, Mr. Malick Fall welcomed the Defence Minister’s proactive stance and reiterated the UN’s readiness to work more closely with both federal and state actors.
He emphasized the importance of integrating security institutions into humanitarian planning to ensure safe and impactful service delivery in vulnerable regions.
Among the key outcomes of the meeting were discussions on piloting new service delivery models, boosting technical cooperation between agencies, and enhancing coordination between the UN and Nigeria’s national security architecture.
By PRNigeria
