Abuja: The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has called for a transition from short-term relief efforts to long-term, sustainable strategies in addressing humanitarian needs across Nigeria. Yilwatda made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF) Dialogue Series on Thursday.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the address was delivered on Yilwatda’s behalf by Mrs. Ene Odusuyi, Technical Adviser on Policy Review and Intergovernance Relations. The event was themed ‘Accountability in Action: Advancing Durable Solutions for Crisis-Affected Populations Amid Dwindling Aid.’ He stressed that the growing scale of humanitarian needs continued to outpace the resources available, both globally and nationally.

Yilwatda highlighted the challenges posed by protracted conflicts in the NorthEast, which have displaced 2.3 million people, and growing crises in the NorthWest and North Central regions driven by criminal banditry and widespread violence. He stated that the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan projects a need for 910 billion dollars to support 3.6 million people in Borno, Yobe, and other affected states. He reassured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.

Mr. Trond Jensen, Head of Office, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, emphasized the need for inclusivity and empowerment in humanitarian response, prioritizing the most vulnerable, often women and girls, and ensuring they have power and choices. He highlighted the importance of collaboration between humanitarian and development actors to reduce long-term dependence on foreign assistance.

Mrs. Chimda Musa, Executive Director of the Rural Agricultural Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (RATEI), discussed a practical model integrating displaced women into agriculture, particularly rice farming. Hauwa Nuhu, Managing Editor of Human Angle Magazine, emphasized the media’s role in exposing humanitarian issues and tracking accountability gaps.

Ms. Camilla Higgins, Director of the NIF, pointed out that accountability extends beyond financial management and stressed the need to amplify community voices and keep affected people at the center of humanitarian responses. She noted the severe impact of funding cuts, particularly the loss of U.S. funding, and highlighted the challenges facing internally displaced people and those experiencing food insecurity in Nigeria.

The forum convened a diverse group of stakeholders from government, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, civil society, and the media to explore durable solutions and improve accountability in Nigeria’s humanitarian efforts.