The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States of America have pledged to deepen their collaboration on humanitarian interventions across the country.
This commitment was reinforced during a courtesy visit by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., and his team to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
U.S. Commitment to Humanitarian Assistance
Ambassador Mills emphasized that the U.S. remains Nigeria’s largest bilateral partner in humanitarian aid. He highlighted the importance of the U.S. partnership with Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure effective delivery of assistance.
“Our humanitarian assistance is guided by on-ground evidence and data collected from states,” Mills said. “Our focus is on areas where help is most needed.”
Melissa Jones, USAID Mission Director, expressed concern about the humanitarian challenges in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, especially the impact of floods, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Jones noted that the U.S., in collaboration with UN agencies, has been at the forefront of addressing these urgent needs but acknowledged that strong partnerships with Nigeria’s Ministry are vital for achieving sustainable results.
Nigerian Government’s Response
Prof. Yilwatda commended the U.S. government for its longstanding support, citing areas such as security, humanitarian funding, and UN-backed interventions. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritizes addressing humanitarian challenges arising from flooding, communal clashes, insurgency, and climate change.
“There is a need for a holistic approach to tackle humanitarian issues across all affected states rather than focusing solely on the BAY states,” the Minister said.
He outlined the Ministry’s new initiatives, including:
- Developing concept notes for job creation in agriculture, energy, and the automobile industry.
- Funding pilot schemes for training and starter pack distribution to youths, with plans to scale up through counterpart funding.
Strengthening U.S.-Nigeria Partnership
The Minister pledged the Ministry’s readiness to work with the U.S., describing it as Nigeria’s largest funding partner. “We value this partnership and look forward to the U.S. being involved in all federal government humanitarian programs,” he added.
Present at the meeting were Minister of State Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Permanent Secretary Abel Enitan, other Ministry officials, and representatives from the U.S. Embassy.
This renewed collaboration underscores the critical role of U.S. support in addressing Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges and fostering sustainable development across the country.
