Nigeria

Introduction

In 2026, escalating violence and attacks continue to drive forced displacement, affecting millions of Nigerians and killing thousands. 4 million forcibly displaced Nigerians live scattered across 3,900 settlements and in camps. 

Food security and malnutrition are widespread, with over 27 million people facing crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity and 6.4 million under-5s expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026 across Nigeria. In North-East Nigeria, 5.9 million people require humanitarian aid amidst a deteriorating security situation. 

The EU remains steadfast in its commitment, channelling significant resources into humanitarian aid for vulnerable people affected by conflict, food scarcity and malnutrition in Nigeria.

Facts & figures

Through its humanitarian efforts, the EU provides vital support to those in need.

EU humanitarian funding:

€577 million since 2014

What are the needs?

Nigeria was among the 5 countries most affected according to the 2025 global terrorism index report, with the largest increase in terrorism deaths worldwide. According to data from the armed conflict location and event data project, Nigeria recorded nearly 12,000 conflict-related deaths in 2025 and close to 30,000 over the past 3 years.

Due to the violence and access constraints, aid workers cannot reach an estimated 400,000-500,000 people in the North-East. These issues hinder the delivery of life-saving assistance, which is crucial in view of the alarming levels of food insecurity.

Nigeria faces diverse and complex challenges, such as:

• insurgencies in the North-East
• escalating banditry and kidnappings by criminal and armed groups in the North-West
• enduring intercommunity clashes and violent attacks in the North central region
• natural disaster like floods and the impact of climate change.

Food and nutrition crisis

The October 2025 Cadre Harmonisé analysis reveals a significant food and nutrition crisis in Nigeria: 27.2 million people face acute food shortages, expected to rise to 34.8 million by mid-2026.

According to UNICEF, about 100 children under 5 die of malnutrition per hour in Nigeria, approximately 2,400 children daily. Of the 2 million children facing severe acute malnutrition, 65% live in just 6 northern states: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina

Displaced people

Of the 3.7 million internally displaced, about 2/3s-thirds have been so for 5 years or more. Most are in the North-East, where 16 years of conflict between non-state armed groups and government forces in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have displaced 2.3 million people internally and forced over 400,000 to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, many living in congested camps with inadequate support. The North-East saw a 10-year high in civilian deaths in 2025. It’s social infrastructure has been ravaged and violence has led to widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. 

The North-West is also plagued by growing insecurity that has led to alarming levels of food insecurity, malnutrition and close to 800,000 displaced. 

Nigeria’s North-Central region regularly experiences violent attacks by armed groups, especially in rural areas, further exacerbated by natural disasters and weak access to essential services. Close to 600,000 people live in a situation of prolonged displacement. 

Safety for aid workers

Humanitarian workers, local responders in particular, continue risking their lives to deliver aid. Nigeria saw a significant increase in all types of aid worker victims - killed, injured, kidnapped - from 2023 to 2024, according to the aid worker security report. 

How are we helping?

The EU is one of the leading contributors of humanitarian aid to people in need in Nigeria. In 2026, the EU is allocating an initial € 33 million for humanitarian assistance, bringing the total since 2014 to over €570 million.

EU humanitarian aid in Nigeria helps to meet the basic needs of the conflict-affected people by supporting emergency food assistance, nutrition support, shelter, access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, primary healthcare, protection and education.

The EU’s multifaceted response includes: 

Food assistance:

Direct relief through cash transfers, vouchers, food rations, and agricultural support to help sustain internally displaced and host communities. Emergency distributions aim to stabilise food availability amid crises.

Nutrition support

Nutrition care, ready-to-use therapeutic foods and essential medicines to treat children who suffer from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition. The EU helps ensure continued procurement and delivery of therapeutic supplies, preventing stockouts amidst supply chain delays. 

Healthcare access

Support to health services, including emergency medical supplies and stabilisation centres, to cope with peaks in malnutrition and infectious diseases, especially in overwhelmed under-resourced facilities.

Protection and education

Psychosocial support and referral services to unaccompanied children and victims of gender-based violence through community-based services. Education in emergencies projects ensure crisis-affected children get a basic education and essential school supplies. 

Access and logistics

Support to coordination, to the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) and to IOM-run humanitarian hubs that help aid workers reach and work in isolated areas in a timely and safe manner.

Preparedness and resilience building

Projects to improve preparedness in disaster-prone areas help vulnerable people better prepare for recurrent shocks, such as epidemics and floods, reduce the impact of such recurring events on their lives. Communities receive essential information about risks and prevention, strengthening the local response through planning and preventive action.

Through its holistic approach, the EU aims to foster resilience in the face of recurrent crises, bridging immediate humanitarian needs with long-term development strategies. This includes amplifying advocacy, promoting synergies between humanitarian aid and development cooperation, and engaging governmental authorities to ensure sustainable humanitarian outcomes.

Through its development assistance, the EU aims to build long-term resilience in conflict-affected communities by addressing the underlying causes of violent conflict, supporting basic services and helping people to support themselves.