The European Union (EU) has committed €1.5 million to support victims of the recent conflict in Yelwata, Benue State, and other Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as to bolster Nigeria’s efforts in tackling the growing nutrition emergency in the North-East and North-West.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The European Union (EU) has committed €1.5 million to support victims of the recent conflict in Yelwata, Benue State, and other Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as to bolster Nigeria’s efforts in tackling the growing nutrition emergency in the North-East and North-West.
The funding comprises €500,000 from the EU’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO) as part of a rapid humanitarian response, and €1 million reallocated from the EU-funded SIDPIN project to pursue durable solutions. Key international organisations including IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, and UN-HABITAT are among the implementing agencies involved in the intervention.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, disclosed this during a meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Minister of State Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Permanent Secretary Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, and other senior officials of the Ministry in Abuja on July 14.
The envoy said the EU delegation visited the Ministry following an earlier field mission to Benue State from June 24 to 25, 2025, and to discuss how best to respond to the crisis in the IDP camps and the worsening nutrition and food security situation, particularly during the ongoing lean season.
“In 2025 alone, the EU has already provided €35 million in humanitarian aid to Nigeria, largely focused on nutrition. A possible top-up is under consideration, alongside other assistance from EU Member States,” the EU Ambassador stated.
In his remarks, Professor Yilwatda reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appreciation of the international community’s continued support to vulnerable populations in Nigeria. He noted that his recent visits to Borno and Benue revealed urgent humanitarian gaps.
“We are in acute need of nutrition for children under five years and lactating mothers,” the Minister said.
He lauded the EU’s contributions, restating the federal government’s resolve not to leave anyone behind. He confirmed that food support mobilisation and validated needs assessments are already ongoing, especially in Benue.
The Minister further disclosed plans to create a pooled funding mechanism involving federal, state, and donor contributions. He added that the Ministry would engage the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and formally declare malnutrition an emergency.
Both parties agreed to set up a task force to fast-track response to the nutrition crisis. The task force will define intervention roles, coordinate joint food security assessments, streamline supply chains, and facilitate a unified humanitarian response platform.
As part of ongoing efforts, Minister Yilwatda and Ambassador Mignot undertook a joint field visit to Sokoto State from July 19 to 20, 2025, alongside humanitarian partners including UNICEF, Action Against Hunger (ACF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
During the visit, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Sokoto State, H.E. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, and toured nutrition stabilization centres for children under five. The centres are run by ACF and MSF, with support from UNICEF, and the visit afforded the team a clearer understanding of the situation on the ground and informed discussions on urgent next steps.