United Nations in Nigeria

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Nigeria:

Learn more

Story

09 September 2026

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed visits Ogun State Nigeria

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has concluded a series of engagements in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, where she commended the state government for its commitment to women's empowerment and healthcare expansion in advancing the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The UN Deputy Secretary-General, accompanied by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (a.i.) in Nigeria, and Resident Representative of UNDP, Ms. Elsie Attafuah; UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong; and Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Ms Vanessa Phala, among others, was received by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the Governor's Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. Governor Abiodun presented a plaque of honour to the UN Deputy Secretary-General in recognition of her distinguished service and contributions to sustainable development. Ms. Mohammed and her team joined Governor Abiodun on an inspection tour of the Gateway Medical Centre in Abeokuta, to see the state's investments in modern healthcare infrastructure. She visited the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and had a tour of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, where Ms. Mohammed reviewed a selection of publications from the library's collection. The UN Deputy Secretary-General later engaged with beneficiaries of the World Bank-supported Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP), which Governor Abiodun disclosed had reached approximately 100,000 women across Ogun State, describing women's economic empowerment as a powerful strategy for reducing poverty and strengthening families and communities.She commended the Ogun State Government for providing seed funding and for demonstrating confidence in the capacity of women to build successful businesses and transform their communities.

1 of 5

Story

29 September 2026

Harvesting hope: How dry-season farming is helping farmers build livelihoods and peace in Zamfara.

At first light, 53-year-old Saidu Mohammed makes his way to his farm in Danba community, where rows of vegetables are beginning to flourish despite the harsh dry season. For decades, farming has been more than a profession for him, it has been the foundation of his family's survival.Like many farmers across Zamfara, Saidu has always depended on agriculture to provide for his household. Yet every dry season brought the same uncertainty. Water was scarce, irrigation equipment was inadequate, and maintaining his farm required exhausting journeys in search of water."The primary challenges we encountered were related to water scarcity and limited irrigation inputs," he explains. "Without enough water, it was difficult to cultivate during the dry season or produce the yields we knew our land was capable of."For communities already grappling with insecurity, these challenges extended beyond agriculture. Limited economic opportunities left many people idle, while farmers travelling long distances to access irrigation water faced the constant fear of attacks. Recognizing that strengthening livelihoods is essential to building peaceful and resilient communities, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), through the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project, supported farmers in Katsina and Zamfara states with livelihood farming kits, including water pumps and improved seedlings, to strengthen dry-season farming.For Saidu, the support arrived at a critical moment."The intervention by IOM provided us with water pumps and high-quality seedlings. This assistance will significantly reduce the challenges of dry-season farming and enable us to expand our irrigation systems."With improved access to irrigation, Saidu can now spend more time cultivating his crops and less time searching for water. The support is expected to increase productivity while reducing the risks farmers face when travelling to distant water sources."This support has strengthened the peaceful coexistence we enjoy," he says. "We don't need to travel far for water anymore, which reduces our risk of being attacked by bandits."Beyond improving agricultural production, Saidu believes the intervention is helping to address one of the underlying drivers of insecurity in his community."Idleness and lack of economic opportunities have historically pushed many young people into crime or conflict," he explains. "By investing in agriculture and giving people productive work, this project is helping to reduce insecurity across our communities."As the farming season progresses, optimism is growing among beneficiaries. The improved seedlings are thriving, irrigation has become easier, and farmers are already anticipating a more productive harvest than in previous years."In the coming harvest, IOM will be amazed by the exceptional yields we are expecting because of this intervention," Saidu says with a smile.While grateful for the support received, Saidu hopes the initiative will continue and reach even more farming households. He recommends expanding assistance to include fertilizers and pesticides and providing individual solar-powered irrigation systems to farmers whose plots are spread across different locations."I strongly encourage IOM to continue supporting dry-season farming," he says. "If more farmers receive these inputs, more families will improve their livelihoods, and our communities will become even more peaceful and resilient."For Saidu and many other farmers in Zamfara, access to the right agricultural tools is doing more than improving harvests. It is restoring confidence, creating opportunities, reducing vulnerability to insecurity, and helping communities cultivate a more stable and hopeful future, one farming season at a time.

1 of 5

Story

14 September 2026

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed concludes official visit to Imo State Nigeria

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed on 10 September 2026, concluded a two-day official visit to Imo State, South-East Nigeria. She commended the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma for his commitment to inclusive development, youth innovation, and digital transformation in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).UN Deputy Secretary-General with State officials toured the Imo Digital City Limited (IDCL), including its Innovation, Robotics, Drone and Telemedicine Centres. She interacted with young innovators developing technology-driven solutions to everyday challenges, including smart gas monitoring systems, digital platforms for artisans, Artificial Intelligence (AI) receptionist, drones, emergency medical applications, remote work hubs, e-commerce platforms and e-governance solutions.Addressing the young innovators, Mohammed underscored the importance of preparing for the next generation of industrialisation, driven by rapid technological advancement and digital transformation. Addressing the Imo State Executive Council at the Governor’s office in Owerri, following an earlier bilateral meeting with the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the UN Deputy Secretary-General highlighted the state’s strides in infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, digital transformation, power, investment, and public sector reforms, noting that these efforts are positioning Imo as a hub of opportunities in Nigeria and West Africa. She described the state’s development efforts, particularly the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA), as a promising model for sustainable development, economic diversification and job creation. Mohammed reaffirmed the importance of sub-national governments in achieving the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing that state-level action is critical to expanding healthcare, improving education and creating livelihoods. Governor Uzodimma said his administration has adopted technology and innovation to reduce youth unemployment, strengthen security and diversify the economy. He reported that thousands of young people have received training in software development, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. State officials also highlighted initiatives in clean energy, healthcare expansion and the One Kindred One Business Initiative (OKOBI), which has helped establish businesses and employment. The visit to Imo State concluded with a shared commitment between the United Nations and the state government to strengthen technical cooperation and deepen strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating sustainable development and improving the lives of citizens.

1 of 5

Story

29 August 2026

University of Lagos, Nigeria, Wins 2026 WIPO IP Moot Court Competition

On 26 June, 2026, the second edition of the WIPO Intellectual Property (IP) Moot Court Competition concluded with a Grand Final between the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea, at WIPO headquarters in Geneva.The University of Lagos emerged as the winners after delivering a strong performance in legal advocacy and oral argument. Team members Israel Idara Ifiok and Kaosisochukwu Andrina Nkpolara demonstrated a clear understanding of IP law, confidently responding to questions from the panel of judges throughout the final round.The victory represents a significant milestone for both Nigeria and the African continent. Following the inaugural competition in 2025 where both the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa, came among the top 12 teams, this year the University of Lagos secured the championship title, becoming the first African university to win the WIPO IP Moot Court Competition. Israel Idara Ifiok and Kaosisochukwu Andrina Nkpolara also became the first all-female team to win the competition.With the victory, the University of Lagos becomes the latest institution to have its name engraved on the WIPO IP Moot Court Championship Trophy, becoming part of the competition's growing legacy.The competition forms part of WIPO's Intellectual Property and Youth Empowerment Strategy (IP-YES!), which aims to equip young people with practical knowledge and skills in IP law. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, this year's competition attracted more than 200 applications from universities around the world. Forty-eight teams progressed to the virtual rounds, with only eight advancing to the final oral rounds in Geneva. The finalists represented Estonia, India, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the United States.Throughout the competition, participants argued a fictional cross-border intellectual property dispute involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets and the enforcement of IP rights. The courtroom-style format gave students practical experience in legal research, written advocacy, oral argument and responding to judicial questions, while strengthening their understanding of intellectual property law in a real-world context.Beyond the competition, participants also gained access to opportunities for continued professional development. As part of the awards, students received scholarships for advanced distance learning courses offered by the WIPO Academy, as well as mentorship opportunities through the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI).The WIPO IP Moot Court Competition continues to prepare the next generation of intellectual property professionals by providing practical learning experiences and connecting students with the global IP community.

1 of 5

Story

29 August 2026

I thought about committing suicide: Scholastica’s journey to Hope through UN Women HIV Interventions.

For years, Scholastica carried a burden she felt she could not share with anyone. Born with HIV, she spent much of her childhood taking medication without understanding why. When she finally learned her status as a teenager, the news shattered her confidence and changed how she saw herself. Once outspoken and active in class, Scholastica withdrew into silence. She became convinced that she was different from everyone around her and feared being judged if people knew the truth. The stigma she felt, even within herself, left her isolated and alone."I became a silent person," she recalls. "Anytime I was in a group, I would become so quiet."As the years passed, the weight of secrecy and self-doubt became overwhelming. Struggling to accept her diagnosis and unable to share her fears, Scholastica reached a point where she felt hopeless."There was a time I almost committed suicide," she says. "Keeping everything to myself was killing me."Her turning point came when she joined a UN Women-supported peer-to-peer support group for adolescent girls and young women living with HIV. Through the programme's peer support toolkit, she met other young women facing similar challenges and, for the first time, realized she was not alone. The group became a safe space where she could speak openly, learn from others, and begin rebuilding the confidence she had lost. Through sessions on self-confidence, communication, mental health and treatment adherence, Scholastica started challenging the fear and stigma she had carried for years. One lesson stayed with her: HIV is not the end of life. "Being HIV-positive does not stop you from achieving anything," she says. "We can achieve anything in life, just like anyone else."As she connected with her peers, Scholastica began to see herself differently. She realized that the harshest judgments she faced often came from within. The programme helped her understand that living well with HIV means caring for both physical and mental health and letting go of the shame and loneliness that had defined so much of her adolescence.Slowly, the young woman who had retreated into silence found her voice again. She made new friends, participated in discussions, and rediscovered the confidence she thought she had lost forever."The confidence came back," she says. "The silence that became my friend went away, and the beautiful self I had before discovering my status came back."Today, Scholastica takes her medication consistently, prioritizes her well-being, and faces the future with renewed hope. Drawing from her own journey, she now encourages other young people living with HIV to reject stigma, believe in their potential, and never give up on themselves.Looking back, she believes the UN Women-supported programme came into her life at the right moment."The training helped me when I wanted to give up," she reflects. "I told myself, 'No, you don't have to do this. You are not the only one in this situation.' That was when everything started changing."For Scholastica, the programme did more than provide information. It helped her rediscover the confident young woman she thought she had lost and gave her the courage to embrace life again. Across Nigeria, countless other adolescent girls and young women living with HIV are experiencing similar transformations through UN Women's support, gaining the knowledge, confidence and peer connections they need to challenge stigma, embrace their worth and build brighter futures.

1 of 5

Story

06 October 2026

Supporting women's resilience through access to water

Imagine walking six kilometres every single day just to fetch a single jerrycan of water. Across sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls collectively lose 200 million hours daily to this grueling routine, shouldering more than 70% of the burden in water-deprived households.For years, this was the daily reality for women and girls in Bare. Trekking several kilometres to a distant stream, they faced exhaustion, lost hours, and heightened safety risks along isolated paths in the pre-dawn darkness and late evenings.Today, that trajectory has shifted. With support from the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), the rehabilitation of a solar-powered borehole in Bare has brought clean, reliable water directly to an estimated 10,000 residents. The dividends go far beyond the tap. By reclaiming hours once lost in transit, women and girls in Bare can redirect their energy toward schooling, agricultural productivity, local enterprise, and civic life, all while significantly reducing their exposure to gender-based safety risks along remote trails. The rehabilitation of the borehole forms part of broader WPHF-supported efforts to strengthen the resilience of communities affected by the intersecting impacts of conflict, displacement and climate change across Adamawa State.During a joint monitoring visit, UN Women and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs also visited ongoing interventions in Yola South and Michika Local Government Areas, where two solar-powered boreholes are being constructed to support women farmers with irrigation.For these women, reliable access to water is closely tied to their livelihoods. Erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells are increasingly affecting agricultural production, putting pressure on household incomes and food security. The solar-powered irrigation systems are designed to provide a more reliable source of water, enabling women farmers to extend production beyond the rainy season and strengthen their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions.Together, these interventions demonstrate how investments in basic services can contribute to wider development, livelihoods and resilience outcomes. Access to water can support food production, reduce the time burden on women and girls, and create conditions for greater participation in economic and community life.In communities facing multiple, overlapping pressures, such investments matter because they address immediate needs while also building the foundations for longer-term resilience.A borehole may be a simple piece of infrastructure, But for the women and girls of Bare community, bringing water closer to home can mean more time, greater safety and more opportunities to shape their own lives and the future of their community.

1 of 5

Story

28 September 2026

At IDP camp in Maiduguri, I witnessed children learning life-saving messages - UN Global Advocate for Peace

The UN Global Advocate for Peace, Ms. Maryam Bukar Hassan, visited United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) operations in Nigeria on 17-18 August 2026. She saw explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) activities, met with EORE children ambassadors and survivors of explosive ordnance (EO) incidents, and was a guest on a local radio show. "At the IDP camp, I witnessed children learning life-saving messages through storytelling, games and creative participation. Across the entire visit, I saw storytelling being used as a form of protection: through radio, drama, poetry and play. Storytelling was not an accessory to the work. It was life-saving infrastructure." She said, following her visit to Maiduguri.She further sent UNMAS this message:What stayed with me most from Maiduguri was the realization that, in Borno, children are carrying messages that can mean the difference between life and death.I met six young Explosive Ordnance Risk Education ambassadors. Only one of them was 18; the others were between 13 and 17. They spoke with remarkable openness about loss, displacement and the realities that shaped their decision to become ambassadors. One had lost his uncle to an IED. Another had been forced to flee his home with his family.That young person said something I have not been able to forget: “For me, education is not a right; it is a privilege.”No child should have to negotiate whether education is a right or a privilege. No child should have to understand, so early, that simply reaching a classroom safely can depend on circumstances beyond their control.Yet these young ambassadors have transformed what they have lived through into protection for others. Through radio programmes, they have helped their messages reach more than 115,000 people, including audiences beyond Nigeria’s borders. Mine Action clubs are now present in 32 schools across 16 local government areas, positively reaching more than 5,000 children.One child told me, “I believe that when children read the messages, they will spread faster.” Another said she was motivated to become an ambassador by her “curiosity for change.” I found those words extraordinary. Curiosity is often described as a desire to know, but in her hands, it had become a desire to change what other children might experience.One of the ambassadors has also been a member of True My Voice, my own initiative, for three years. Meeting him there felt like a beautiful full-circle moment. During our Healing Through Poetry session, every child contributed a line to a collective poem. They shared their vulnerabilities without holding back, and together, we turned their experiences into something they could carry as a mantra: not an erasure of what had happened, but a declaration that their stories could also protect, heal and give courage to others.Then I met the survivors.The story that broke something open in me was that of Abubakar Bukar Garba, a husband and father of five from Monguno. He had been a businessman, but after economic hardship affected his livelihood, he returned to farming. One day, while travelling to his farm, he stepped on an IED. Fragments became lodged in his leg, and he had to drag himself forward in that condition before he could be taken home.Because access to adequate medical care in Monguno was difficult, what appeared to be a metal wound was treated locally. The fragment was removed, but the wound became infected. The infection continued to spread until the flesh of his leg began to decay.It was during a sensitization visit that Mine Action personnel and their partners found him and helped get him to a hospital. They were able to stop the infection from spreading further, but they could not save his leg.Abubakar can no longer farm. He has a wife and five children depending on him, but no capital with which to begin again. He told us, “I cannot farm. No one is going to give me capital. I have nothing to help my family with.”I could not listen to him and simply walk away. Within my personal capacity, I supported him in taking a first step towards starting another business. But I also knew that what one person could do in that moment was not a substitute for the sustained survivor assistance and livelihood support that people like Abubakar need.After listening to the survivors, I froze. When I returned to the car, Edwin, the Head of UN Mine Action in Nigeria, asked how I was feeling. I could not answer without crying.I cried because innocent people continue to inherit the consequences of wars they did not begin. Long after attention moves elsewhere, the war remains beneath their feet. It waits along the road to a farm. It enters a family through the body of its provider. It takes not only a limb, but sometimes a livelihood, a sense of independence and a family’s security.Borno is living a dual reality. Communities are rebuilding, children are learning and families are trying to return home, but the remnants of conflict continue to kill, injure and restrict movement. The crisis may no longer receive the same attention as conflicts described as “active,” but for the person who cannot safely reach a farm, school or home, the danger is still active.This is why Mine Action remains indispensable. Peace is not only the end of fighting; it is the restoration of dignity. Dignity is being able to return home without fear. It is being able to cultivate your land without a battle waiting for you in the ground. It is ensuring that survivors are not left alive but without the means to live.At the IDP camp, I witnessed children learning life-saving messages through storytelling, games and creative participation. Across the entire visit, I saw storytelling being used as a form of protection: through radio, drama, poetry and play. Storytelling was not an accessory to the work. It was life-saving infrastructure.As someone from Borno, this mission was not simply a field visit; it was a return home. It reminded me why I must continue to raise my voice for sustained support for Mine Action in Nigeria not only for clearance and risk education, but also for survivor assistance, rehabilitation and livelihoods.The world must not look away simply because a conflict has lasted long enough to become familiar. The children of Borno should not have to become experts in avoiding explosives. Survivors like Abubakar should not have to face poverty as the second explosion.Their lives, their dignity and their futures must remain urgent.

1 of 5

Story

27 September 2026

From clean energy to circular energy: Nigeria charts a sustainable path to Net Zero

From rural health centres and schools to farms, households and small businesses, off-grid renewable energy equipment (OGREE) is expanding access to reliable electricity, supporting livelihoods and accelerating Nigeria's transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. As investment in renewable energy continues to grow, however, another challenge is quietly approaching, one that many countries are only beginning to address.What happens when today's solar panels, batteries, inverters and other renewable energy equipment reach the end of their useful lives? Every clean energy technology installed today will eventually become tomorrow's waste, containing hazardous materials. Without systems for collection, recycling and environmentally sound disposal, Nigeria could face an entirely new waste stream in the coming decades with environmental impacts. Rather than waiting for the problem to emerge, Nigeria is taking steps to prepare now.Through the European Union-funded project "Advancing Nigeria's Green and Just Transition to Net Zero through Circular Economy Practices," the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is working with the Federal Ministry of Environment and national stakeholders to develop the policy, institutional and market foundations needed to manage renewable energy equipment sustainably throughout its lifecycle. The project is helping Nigeria move beyond waste management by embedding circular economy principles into the country's growing off-grid renewable energy sector, ensuring that clean energy remains sustainable from installation to end-of-life. As part of the project, Nigerian stakeholders recently visited Austria and Sweden for a technical exchange, where they were engaged with governments, research institutions and private sector actors working on renewable energy waste management.One key lesson stood out. Even across Europe, where renewable energy deployment is well advanced, the management of end-of-life solar panels and renewable energy equipment remains an emerging field. Because large-scale solar installations are relatively recent, significant volumes of solar waste are only beginning to appear. Governments and industry are therefore investing now in policies, recycling infrastructure and circular business models to prepare for the future. For Nigeria, this presents a valuable opportunity as the country can establish the right systems before large volumes of renewable energy equipment begin reaching end-of-life.During the past year, the project achieved several important milestones that collectively lay the groundwork for a national circular economy framework for off-grid renewable energy equipment. One of the most significant achievements has been the completion of a draft National Policy on Off-Grid Renewable Energy Equipment Waste Management. Developed through an extensive consultative process involving federal institutions, regulators, industry representatives, Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), civil society organisations, academia and development partners, the draft policy was validated in early 2026 and is now waiting for cabinet approval. The policy seeks to establish a coordinated national framework for managing renewable energy equipment throughout its lifecycle, promoting environmentally sound collection, reuse, recycling and disposal practices while supporting Nigeria's broader climate and sustainable development objectives.Alongside policy development, the project has invested heavily in strengthening institutional capacity. Government institutions at both federal and state levels, together with PROs, industry associations, civil society organisations, educational institutions and private sector actors, have participated in a series of technical training programmes designed to strengthen understanding of circular economy principles, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), renewable energy waste management and data reporting systems.Recognising that effective policy depends on reliable evidence and building on initial capacity-building activities, the project developed a pilot Data Monitoring Mechanism to strengthen national reporting on off-grid renewable energy equipment. The mechanism establishes standardised protocols for collecting, processing and reporting information on renewable energy equipment entering the Nigerian market and, eventually, equipment reaching end-of-life. A practical pilot exercise was launched in 2026 to test inter-institutional data sharing collaboration between federal, state agencies and OGREE value chain in operating the monitoring system. Reliable data will enable Nigeria to better understand future waste volumes, support informed policy decisions, strengthen regulatory oversight and guide investment in recycling infrastructure.Beyond policy and capacity development, the project is also working to stimulate innovation within Nigeria's private sector. To demonstrate how circular economy principles can create new economic opportunities, three business models for managing renewable energy equipment have already been developed. These models explore commercially viable approaches for sustainable lifecycle management of off-grid renewable energy (OGREE) equipment and associated materials from design, use, repair, collection, refurbishment, recycling and resource recovery from end-of-life renewable energy equipment.Building on this work, UNIDO will engage private sectors to implement the business models to demonstrate benefit of adopting innovative circular economy solutions in OGREE sector. By encouraging stronger innovation and new business ideas, the project aims to foster a circular economy market for OGREE. These businesses are expected to showcase how environmental responsibility can also create employment, stimulate entrepreneurship and strengthen Nigeria's emerging green economy.The project also advances the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and encourages manufacturers, importers and distributors placing OGREE in Nigerian market to take greater responsibility for OGREE throughout its lifecycle, including collection, reuse, refurbish, recycling and environmentally sound disposal once products reach the end of their useful lives.As Nigeria's OGREE sector expands, this shared responsibility will become increasingly important for reducing environmental impacts while recovering valuable materials that can be returned to the economy.

1 of 5

Story

30 August 2026

The Vital Role of Community Volunteers in Mine Action

At the margin of a risk education training for volunteers, UNMAS had the opportunity to interview one of their previously trained community volunteers named Babagana Mala. The conversation, which lasted one hour, shed light on the complex and vital role of community volunteers to keep their communities safe from the threat of explosive ordnances (EOs), and protect livelihoods through knowledge.UNMAS, leading the UN mine action response in Nigeria, including the delivery of explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), helps mitigate the risks posed by explosive ordnance to returnees, host community members and humanitarian and development actors in the three northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (the BAY states).Security, access, health and nutrition are among the many challenges that people face and which civil society organizations try to provide. The increase in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs)by non-state armed groups makes every trip a risk to one’s life, including to humanitarian and development workers. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are particularly vulnerable, and among the 15 LGAs where people have returned, 13 recorded the most number of incidents from explosive ordnance in 2025.This is the case for Babagana Mala, a resident of Konduga and a community volunteer, who in June 2025 received training on risk education and awareness provided by UNMAS with the generous support of the Government of Japan.“We were trained on the consequences of unexploded ordnance, because our people are in danger ; we need to raise awareness.”His testimony is essential to understanding the importance of these community volunteers and the missions they are carrying. His own words, “I create awareness.”. In an eye-opening example, he explains how, after an incident involving a motorcycle driver, he was able to reach out to his community and share awareness messages about roadside IEDs, which the drivers then shared with their colleagues themselves.But the work of a community volunteer goes beyond the prevention and awareness messages of EORE programs ; it also involves the ability to support victim assistance activities by identifying victims of EOs, one of UNMAS’s core areas of work, as Babagana Mala explains in his testimony: “You learn how to refer people to the exact services they need—food, supplies, and medical assistance.”.In 2025, there were 211 (92 female, 119 male) community volunteers deployed across the three states that make up the country’s northeastern BAY region. Thanks to this network, 339,625 civilians — including 70,374 men (20,7%), 79,155 women (23,3%), 100,764 boys (29,7%), 89,342 girls (26,3%) — gained access to awareness messages and education on the risks of explosive ordnance in 2025. To conclude with the wise words of Babagana Mala : “Education is the backbone of everything.”.

1 of 5

Story

22 August 2026

Bayelsan Youth Rewriting the Stories of the Niger Delta

From the state capital in Yenagoa, it takes at least two hours to reach communities like Otuan, Ikebiri 1, Ekowe, Ekeremor and Ayamasa in Bayelsa State. For some, the journey doesn’t end on the road - you must continue by boat, navigating winding waterways into riverine communities that are often overlooked.In these hard-to-reach areas live young people exposed to drug abuse, cultism, teenage pregnancy, militancy and limited access to opportunities. They are often forgotten. Yet, they carry bold and valid dreams that rarely find the support they need to grow.Through the UNODC Youth Peace Champions (YPCs) initiative, supported by the Government of Denmark, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is partnering with these young people to #FrameTheFuture. What is unfolding is a transformation led by the youth themselves. With training, mentorship and sustained support, these young people are confronting the very challenges that surround them, while stepping into leadership within their communities.Ekeremor“DUH-paa-min.” *Timipa pronounced the word slowly, almost playfully, stretching each syllable as he tried to make sense of it. Curious and eager, the student of Community Secondary School in Ekeremor turned to Austin and asked what it meant.Austin, a Youth Peace Champion (YPC), smiled, clearly pleased by the curiosity in front of him. Alongside fellow YPCs, he had gathered over forty students for a sensitisation session on drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, cultism and crime. Taking his time, he explained the meaning of “dopamine”, describing it as the feeling people addicted to drugs and alcohol often chase. After this, Austin went further, sharing relatable examples of the harmful effects of drug use. “Thank you!” Timipa said and expressed determination to stay away from drugs.Before stepping into the school, Austin and his team had met with the community’s paramount ruler and elders, seeking their blessing and support. They also mobilised fellow youth, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and local NGOs, turning a simple sensitisation into a community-driven effort. “The experience and reception by the kids made me realise that what we do is worth it and our message must be continually spread.” - Austin Ayamasa“Haa, why una just come? Girls don carry belle finish now.”*Joel’s words, spoken in Pidgin, carried both frustration and truth: “Why are you only just coming? Many girls are already pregnant.” A student at Community Secondary School in Ayamasa.The Youth Peace Champions here understood this reality. After securing the endorsement of the Paramount Ruler and community leaders, they began their work with a school sensitisation programme in 2025.By February 2026, their efforts had grown into a community-wide movement - a road march involving students and NYSC members, followed by a two-day workshop. Beyond advocacy, they distributed sanitary pads and educational materials, combining awareness with practical support. Ikebiri 1In Ikebiri 1, the Youth Peace Champions noticed that many students simply did not have basic learning materials. So, they acted. Through local fundraising, they raised about ₦300,000 (approximately $222) to purchase exercise books, pens and other essentials. These were distributed to hundreds of schoolchildren across the community.What accompanied the distribution was just as important; sensitisation sessions addressing drug abuse, cultism and crime, ensuring that support met both immediate and long-term needs. Their activities also inspired others in their community, with some pledging to fundraise and renovate dilapidated schools in the community. EkoweIn Ekowe, where similar challenges persist, Beauty and her fellow YPCs decided to act. Through sensitisation sessions, they engaged about 30 children and teenagers on issues affecting their lives. Beauty extended this work to the Federal Polytechnic in Ekowe, where she spoke directly to 10 young women about staying in school and building skills for self-reliance.Her work did not end with one session. She continues to mentor these girls, creating a steady support system as they navigate complex social pressures.OtuanIn Otuan, the approach took a deeply personal turn. Tari, a Youth Peace Champion, knows the weight of teenage pregnancy firsthand. Once told directly and indirectly that her life had come to a halt, she chose to rewrite her own story.Today, she is doing the same for others. Through her initiative, Rising Stars of Otuan, Tari creates a safe, non-judgmental space for teenage mothers. About 10 of them meet monthly to talk, rebuild confidence and reshape their futures. A farmer herself, Tari goes on to further train these young women in farming and employs some of them on her farm, providing both skills and income. Alongside this, she and other YPCs continue sensitisation visits to schools like St. Nathaniel Primary School and Community Secondary School, ensuring prevention and support go hand in hand. Piracy, Youth and the Niger DeltaAcross the Niger Delta, broader structural challenges persist. Poverty, unemployment and limited infrastructure create conditions where criminal networks thrive.According to UNODC, organized crime in the region is driven by these vulnerabilities, compounded by environmental degradation from illegal oil activities. While incidents such as piracy have declined since 2021, the region remains high-risk, particularly for armed robbery and illegal fishing. Young people are often the primary targets for recruitment into these networks.More than sensitisationWhat is happening across these communities goes beyond awareness campaigns. It is youth-led change. Over 1,000 children and youth have been physically reached with key advocacy messages centred on community resilience and crime prevention.In places where many young people feel overlooked, the Youth Peace Champions are stepping forward, mobilising their peers, raising resources and building solutions from within. From Austin to Beauty, Tari and many others are young people equipped with skills in community engagement, social media, and creative communication. They are promoting peace, strengthening social cohesion and actively preventing crime. The Youth Peace Champions initiative is not only helping them expand their own horizons, but also opening pathways for others in their communities.They are not waiting for change. They are creating it. By building opportunities and resilience among youth, they are quietly closing the space for criminal networks to recruit young people and children in the Niger Delta.

1 of 5

View all

Press Release

04 June 2026

Statement attributed to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria on safe schools and the recent abduction of school children and teachers

The UN Resident Coordinator is deeply saddened that these school children and their teachers are still being held by armed groups. Schools must remain safe havens for learning and not places of fear. Children should never be a target.These incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning spaces. He acknowledges the on-going efforts of the government and security agencies and calls on the authorities to do more to ensure the safe and swift return of all abducted school children and teachers, and that the perpetrators are brought to justice.Mr Malick Fall reaffirms the UN’s collective commitment to promoting safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments, while ensuring the protection and upholding of children’s right to education in safety and dignity.He calls for full and diligent implementation of the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, strengthened emergency response mechanisms, and an efficient data-driven approach to protecting schools and vulnerable children.The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator met the National Safe Schools delegation, led by Commandant, Dr Samuel Umanah, in Abuja on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, to discuss the situation and express solidarity with the affected families, school authorities and communities at this distressing time.

1 of 5

Press Release

23 January 2026

Op-Ed: Nigeria’s Humanitarian Reset Will Succeed Only If Local Leadership Takes Centre Stage

Nigeria is entering a pivotal moment in its humanitarian response journey.As one of eight transition countries in the global Humanitarian Reset, Nigeria faces a stark reality: humanitarian needs remain persistently high, while international funding continues to drastically shrink. This tension is forcing a necessary reckoning on how humanitarian assistance is delivered — and, more importantly, who leads it.Nowhere is the challenge more visible than in north-east Nigeria. In Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states alone, an estimated 5.9 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2026. Yet available resources fall far short of meeting this demand. The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan seeks US$516 million, prioritising 2.5 million people in the most acute need of life-saving support — less than half of those who require humanitarian assistance.These figures point to a simple truth: business as usual is no longer viable. The future of humanitarian action in Nigeria must be owned, led and sustained by Nigerian institutions and organisations, with international partners playing a supportive and enabling role.This shift lies at the heart of the Humanitarian Reset — a collective commitment by global humanitarian actors to deliver faster, and more accountable assistance at a time when the system is overstretched and under-resourced. The Reset calls for a sharper focus on lifesaving priorities, more agile and context-specific delivery, stronger in-country leadership, deeper engagement with affected communities, and a renewed defense of humanitarian principles. At its core, it is both a reform agenda and a mindset shift: from control to collaboration, from competition to complementarity, and from caution to courage.For Nigeria, this transition must begin with government leadership.Federal and state authorities are closest to affected populations. They carry the constitutional responsibility to protect citizens and are best positioned to align humanitarian action with national priorities. A nationally led humanitarian model requires more than coordination; it demands increased domestic financing, and sustained investment in systems that help communities withstand future shocks. No humanitarian response can be durable if the government is not firmly in the driver’s seat.Equally central to this transition are national organisations. Nigerian civil society and community-based organisations bring deep contextual knowledge, social legitimacy and long-term presence that international actors cannot replicate. In many hard-to-reach areas, they are the only responders with consistent access. Experience shows that when local organisations are trusted, adequately resourced and meaningfully included in decision-making, humanitarian responses become more efficient, more accountable and more relevant to community needs.Localisation, therefore, is not a slogan or a concession. It is a practical and necessary pathway to sustaining impact in an era of declining external funding.Encouragingly, this shift is already underway. The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), has steadily increased the proportion of funding channelled through national non-governmental organisations. In 2025, national NGOs received a record 70 per cent of direct allocations. Once considered peripheral actors, these organisations have strengthened financial controls, improved compliance systems, expanded technical expertise and demonstrated strong risk management. Women-led organisations, in particular, are emerging as critical humanitarian actors, shaping priorities and amplifying community voices that are too often marginalised. These gains illustrate what is possible when investment in local capacity is deliberate.Yet localisation is about far more than funding flows.It requires a fundamental shift in how partnerships are conceived and managed. Risk management must evolve from exclusion to shared responsibility. Technical support must move beyond project supervision towards genuine knowledge transfer and institutional strengthening. Over time, international humanitarian actors should step back from direct implementation and focus more on advisory roles, advocacy and resource mobilisation in support of national partners.Local organisations, for their part, must be recognised as equal partners — not extensions of international agencies. They need predictable financing, better access to pooled funds and structured opportunities to influence humanitarian strategy.Importantly, local civil society must also be empowered as agents of change. Sustainable progress depends on advocacy — changing political priorities, challenging harmful narratives and defending the rights of people affected by conflict and disaster. Affected communities should never be viewed as passive victims. They are people with dignity, agency and rights, and local organisations are best placed to champion those rights.The transition of the humanitarian operation in Nigeria also demands stronger alignment between humanitarian and development efforts.The Humanitarian Reset creates space for a more coherent approach in which emergency action focuses on saving lives, while development frameworks — including national plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework — address the structural drivers of vulnerability. Insecurity, underdevelopment and climate risks require long term solutions. Investments in food systems, basic services, disaster risk reduction and anticipatory action are essential to reducing humanitarian caseloads over time. Without these investments, emergency needs will continue to outpace available resources, perpetuating the cycle of crisis response.As the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is launched, the message is unmistakable.The era of internationally financed, internationally delivered humanitarian operations in Nigeria is drawing to a close. The next phase belongs to Nigeria itself. To the institutions that set policy, the state authorities that coordinate response, national organisations that know their communities best, and the citizens who have borne the greatest burden for far too long.For the United Nations and its partners, the role is clear: support this transition. Strengthen capacity where needed. Reinforce partnerships at all levels. Mobilise resources alongside government. And ensure that people affected by crises remain firmly at the centre of every decision.Ultimately, localisation is about dignity.It is about recognising that communities must lead the solutions to the challenges they face. Nigeria’s humanitarian future depends on embracing this shift fully and without hesitation. The opportunity is present. The responsibility is shared. And the time to act is now.

1 of 5

Press Release

28 May 2024

We will stand behind you - UN assures, as States Action Plans for Durable Solutions in Northeast are launched.

Abuja, 28 May 2024. In furtherance of their commitment to ending internal displacement in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, the Government of Nigeria and the United Nations have launched the States Action Plans on Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement in Nigeria.“We will stand behind you. Let me reiterate our commitment on behalf of the United Nations: We will keep supporting on the ground; We will help rally donors; We will chase missing partners; We will celebrate your successes,” said Robert Piper, United Nations Assistant Secretary General, and Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement, at the launch held at the Presidential Villa Abuja, Nigeria.The Action Plans, according to him, are anchored in international standards and the Kampala Convention; driven by real political leadership; and are geared to mobilize development investments.“The plans you launch today provide a model of how governments can take responsibility for ending displacement. The plans recognise that displaced people can choose between going back home, properly integrating where they are right now or relocating elsewhere in the country.” Piper explained. The Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, emphasised that “We must invest in sustainable development, education, and economic opportunities to build resilient communities. By doing so, we not only address the immediate needs of the displaced but also create a foundation for a more stable and prosperous future.”He noted that the launch of the state Action Plans was meant to craft solutions that would outlive the present generation, and offer future generations a place of hope, a home for all, and a land of opportunity where dreams could be pursued without worry.Shettima noted, “As we launch these State Action Plans, let us commit to collaborative efforts that transcend borders and political divides. Let us harness the strength of our partnerships, both local and international, to bring about lasting change. The task ahead is immense, but with determination, unity, and a clear vision, we can make a profound difference.” Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed commended the governments of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe for their actions to scale up solution pathways in their state action plans, noting that achieving durable solutions is a priority for both Nigeria and for the United Nations secretary general. “Finding durable solutions to internal displacement is central to achieving the sustainable development goals in Nigeria and beyond, and they must become an integral part of development plans in areas affected by forced displacement.” Said the Deputy Secretary-General.She emphasized that durable solutions required long term investments in infrastructure, education, health care, as well as in security and the enablers social contract with the people. Mohammed added that “Our joint efforts must offer the promise of inclusive governance, human dignity, and a world where we leave no one behind.”The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Richard Montgomery, who spoke on behalf of the informal North-East Ambassador Group, emphasised that the group shared a collective interest in government’s efforts to bring peace to the North-East.“We stand in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration. As regards the durable solutions to internal displacement in the North-east, Montgomery noted, “No one country has the answer. We must join hands to ensure sustainable solutions to internally displaced persons (IDPs) issues in Nigeria.”At the launch were the Governor of Borno State, H.E. Prof Babagana Zulum; Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni; Governor of Benue State, H.E. Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; and Hon. Commissioner for Reconstruction Rehabilitation Reintegration & Human Service, Bello Hamman Diram, representing Adamawa State Governor, H.E. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. ### Note to EditorsThe publication of the United Nations Secretary General High Level Panel’s Report on Internal Displacement, and the accompanying Action Agenda on Internal Displacement created a pivotal moment in how durable solutions in situations of internal displacement are approached. Building on the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the renewed attention to durable solutions puts a significant emphasis towards government-led and -owned processes.In line with this recommendation, and following the visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Borno in May 2022, the authorities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe initiated a process to develop their own action plans to address internal displacement as part of overall and long term development of their state.Progress towards durable solutions requires an approach that steps away from a needs-based way of working towards an area-based approach. The activities, processes and budget elaborated on in the State Action Plans, ensure that attention is given to all communities affected by displacement – including internally displaced persons, returnees as well as members of the host communities. Addressing forced displacement in this way bears the promise for the State Action Plans to contribute to the overall development of the state and to leave no one behind.Through their State Action Plans, the authorities acknowledge the need to ensure that methodologies, processes, and activities which form part of the vision to achieve durable solutions need to be evaluated in a timely manner with an aim to amend and strengthen their approach to achieving solutions. As an integral part of the overall governance systemfor durable solutions, the people-centered approach described in the monitoring andevaluation chapters will significantly contribute to ensure displacement affected communities participate in the overall development of the state.All plans recognize the need to maintain humanitarian assistance where needed, work around preventing future displacement and progressing solutions where possible. Driving these plans forward and recognizing the longer-term systematic sustainability that is needed, ambitious budgets have been developed. While a significant amount of these budgets is reserved for access to housing –including elements related to secure tenure –they cater to a wider set of interventions such as economic development and access to services.For more information and media enquiries contact:Oluseyi Soremekun – National Information Officer, UN Information Centre (UNIC) | +234 803 303 0002 | soremekun@un.org

1 of 5

Press Release

22 June 2023

UN honours Princess Adejoke Adefulire for leadership in promoting SDGs

Abuja: 22 June 2023. In recognition of her commitment and visionary leadership in promoting the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development in Nigeria, the United Nations in Nigeria has honoured the former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), H.E. Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire with ‘SDGs Champion’ award. At the award ceremony held at the UN House Abuja, on 20 June 2023, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commended the United Nations in Nigeria for rewarding performance and dedication. “I thank the UN and the orgnisers of this award for finding it imperative to reward performance and dedication. This will go a long way in instilling sense of duty and encourage more people in their services to the nation, to give their best“, said the First Lady, represented by the National Women Leader for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Betta Edu. Highlighting the contribution of the awardee to the implementation of SDGs at the sub-national level, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale noted, “Your firm belief that the Sustainable Development Goals are for everyone everywhere, is a constant reminder that Agenda 2030 is neither for just one part of the country, nor for just one group of people.” He underlined that the UN in Nigeria is ready to engage with the new government on how to accelerate achievement of the SDGs and the 2030 agenda. Th First Lady assured the United Nations in Nigeria that “We will remain partners in building a virile and prosperous Nigeria in our quest to renewing hope especially now that we are rebuilding.” On the awardee, Senator Tinubu emphasized that Princess Adefulire’s inclusive and dedicated approach to national assignment endeared her to the stakeholders and eventually brought out the best in her. In her acceptance speech, Princess Adefulire expressed her appreciation of the United Nations Country Team for the commitment and tremendous support towards the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria. “Together, we have made significant progress in our collective desire to achieve the SDGs and leave no Nigeria behind.” She said, and disclosed that as of December 2022, her office had completed the long and meticulous process of institutionalizing the SDGs in Nigeria; while all the institutional frameworks required to support the effective implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria were also in place. “It is with a great sense of gratitude and honour that I accept this humbling and prestigious United Nations SDGs Champion Award. I accept it on behalf of my formidable team at OSSAP-SDGs and thousands of unsung heroes in Nigeria.” Princess Adejoke added. The award ceremony was attended by members of the UN Country Team, and representatives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); the Head of Service; Deputy Governor of Ogun State and the First Lady of Ogun State, H.E. Mrs Bamidele Abiodun.

1 of 5

Press Release

19 March 2023

UN condemns killing of children and women in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State

Abuja, 18 March 2023 - The United Nations is deeply disturbed by the recent spate of violence in some parts of the country. Earlier this week, several innocent women and children were killed in Zangon Kataf, Local Government Area of Kaduna State. What is alarming is the barbaric and senseless killings of young children including a young boy who was abducted and murdered in the most brutal manner in the LGA. This spate of violence comes soon after another series of violent incidents where numerous of people including children were killed in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state. The UN strongly condemns these attacks, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, including children, some of whom were toddlers, women, and men. We are also deeply concerned that people continued to be killed and injured in subsequent attacks. We urge groups involved in the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and refrain from attacking innocent civilians, especially women and children who have nothing to do with the conflict. We also call for a lasting solution to be found that will provide a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the conflict. The UN Resident Coordinator for Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, said, "these atrocities must not continue unchecked. The UN stands with the government and people of Nigeria in their efforts to bring an end to this senseless violence, bring to justice perpetrators and ensure that all citizens are protected and able to live in peace and security." “We call on all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution to this violence and to respect the sanctity of human life. The UN remains committed to supporting the government and people of Nigeria in their quest for a peaceful and prosperous nation”, he added.

1 of 5

View all