Japan Strengthens Humanitarian Response Amid Growing Hunger Crisis in Nigeria By Raymond Enoch
The Government of Japan has reinforced humanitarian efforts in Nigeria by providing fresh support to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to address the growing food crisis affecting millions of vulnerable people, particularly in the conflict-ravaged northeast.
The intervention comes as food insecurity continues to worsen across the country, driven by years of armed conflict, mass displacement, climate-related shocks, and rising inflation that have left many families struggling to afford even one meal a day.
In northeastern Nigeria, prolonged insecurity has forced millions from their homes and prevented many farming communities from returning to their fields. With livelihoods destroyed and access to markets severely disrupted, thousands of households now depend almost entirely on humanitarian assistance for survival.
Japan’s latest contribution to WFP is expected to provide critical food assistance to vulnerable families across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, where humanitarian needs remain among the highest in the country.
For beneficiaries like Hadiza, a 30-year-old widow and mother of four from Borno State, the support offers renewed hope after years of hardship. Having lost her husband and endured prolonged displacement due to the insurgency, she now relies on food assistance to care for her children.
“After years of displacement and loss, the support I receive from WFP is helping me to care for my children and rebuild our lives,” she said. “This food assistance is a lifeline for my little ones and me.”
Speaking on the significance of Japan’s intervention, WFP Nigeria Programme Policy Officer, Itaru Furata, described the support as timely, noting that millions of people across northern Nigeria are facing unprecedented levels of hunger.
According to him, Japan’s contribution provides much-needed relief to families struggling to survive and demonstrates the importance of sustained international partnerships in responding to humanitarian emergencies. He also appealed to other development partners and donor countries to increase support for life-saving operations in Nigeria.
Despite escalating insecurity, WFP says it has continued to deliver emergency food assistance and other humanitarian interventions to communities hardest hit by conflict, displacement and climate shocks. Over the past decade, the agency has maintained operations across the BAY States, helping vulnerable populations meet immediate food needs while supporting recovery and resilience.
Humanitarian experts warn that the consequences of failing to sustain assistance extend beyond hunger. They say inadequate support could deepen instability, increase forced displacement and expose vulnerable people, especially young persons, to exploitation and recruitment by armed groups.
Beyond emergency food distribution, WFP noted that its interventions have contributed to stabilising local communities, supporting markets and creating opportunities for long-term recovery in areas devastated by conflict.
As humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, aid agencies are urging the international community to step up support, warning that scaling back assistance at this critical period could jeopardise the lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians already facing severe food insecurity.
Japan’s renewed commitment is therefore seen not only as a humanitarian gesture but also as a significant contribution toward strengthening resilience, promoting stability and restoring hope for families affected by one of Nigeria’s most protracted humanitarian crises.
