WFP Allots $2.5 Billion to Combat Malnutrition and Hunger in Nigeria.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has allocated a budget of $2.5 billion for its Nigeria Country Strategy Plans covering the period from 2023 to 2027, with the aim of eradicating hunger and enhancing nutrition throughout the nation. During a co-creation workshop held in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr. Seriene Loum, the Head of Programme at WFP, conveyed this information while representing the WFP Country Director. He emphasized that the organization's strategic objective is to create a world free from hunger, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 2, which focus on poverty alleviation and the elimination of hunger. Loum stated that WFP intends to collaborate closely with United Nations member states, including Nigeria, to mobilize the necessary resources for the comprehensive implementation of these initiatives. He noted that the WFP Nigeria Country Strategy Plan for 2023 to 2027 is a five-year initiative that includes specific activities aimed at strengthening institutional capacities and fostering an enabling environment to meet the national goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030. The project will concentrate on food technology, the fortification of supply chain management, nutritional improvement, and enhancing emergency preparedness responses. The strategy encompasses five pillars, each dedicated to the objectives of eliminating hunger and improving nutrition. Loum highlighted that certain interventions are designed for emergency response, ensuring that individuals do not go to bed hungry, which constitutes life-saving efforts aimed at providing immediate food assistance to those in need. He recognized Nigeria as operating one of the largest social safety net programs in Africa and expressed optimism regarding the country's ambitious safety net initiatives aimed at lifting millions of its citizens out of poverty. He remarked that, given the current economic conditions and the level of vulnerabilities in Nigeria, the Cadre Harmonised (C) report from October 2024 indicates that approximately 25 million Nigerians are acutely food insecure, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 33 million between June and August 2025. It is essential for all stakeholders, particularly the World Food Programme (WFP), to collaborate closely with the Federal Government to realize this ambitious objective, he stated. Additionally, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Prof. Badamasi Lawal, indicated that the seminar aimed to leverage collective expertise and resources to create a significant impact on the lives of Nigerians. In her remarks, Mrs. Uche Obi, representing the Director of Human Resources Management, praised the WFP for its dedication to supporting Nigeria's initiatives in combating poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. She noted that the partnership with WFP exemplifies the strength of international collaboration and a shared vision for fostering a more equitable and prosperous society. "The NSIP, which was launched in 2016 and elevated to a full agency in 2023, has made considerable progress in tackling poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. "Through various initiatives, such as the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Grant for Vulnerable Groups, and N-Power, we have positively impacted millions of Nigerians. "We are creating opportunities for economic empowerment, education, and enhanced well-being. "The expertise of WFP in food security, nutrition, and emergency response will be crucial in strengthening our programs and achieving a more significant impact. This partnership will allow us to capitalize on each other's strengths, exchange knowledge, and devise innovative solutions to the complex challenges our nation faces," he remarked. He further stated that the support from WFP has facilitated meaningful discussions among stakeholders and has been instrumental in shaping the future of their collaboration. "Your investment in this partnership reflects your commitment to the development of Nigeria and the welfare of its citizens," he concluded.