In September 2025, the United States approved a $32.5 million funding package for Nigeria to address the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis. This new aid comes months after a suspension of most assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by then-President Donald Trump.
A Lifeline for Displaced Nigerians
The U.S. Mission to Nigeria announced in a statement on Wednesday, September 3, that the funding is specifically designated for food assistance and nutritional support for internally displaced people (IDPs) in conflict-affected regions. The donation is a critical lifeline, expected to benefit over 764,000 individuals across Nigeria’s northeastern and northwestern states.
A key component of this aid is the provision of electronic food vouchers. These vouchers are designed to offer complementary nutrition top-ups for some of the most vulnerable populations. This includes 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and 43,235 children, ensuring they receive essential nutrients during a time of extreme food insecurity.
The Unprecedented Hunger Crisis
Nigeria is currently facing an escalating humanitarian crisis, fueled by a combination of persistent insecurity and significant funding cuts from international aid organizations. In July, Margot van der Velden, the World Food Program’s (WFP) regional director for West Africa, described the situation in northern Nigeria as an “unprecedented hunger crisis.” She warned that the crisis could leave over 1.3 million people without food and potentially force the closure of 150 nutrition clinics in Borno state alone.
The WFP’s operations have been severely impacted by global aid reductions. In the same month, the organization was forced to suspend food assistance across several crisis-hit countries in West and Central Africa. These cuts, including those from the United States, have brought their life-saving work to a halt in many areas, exacerbating the suffering of millions.
This recent U.S. funding represents a reversal of the aid cuts and is a crucial step toward alleviating the immense pressure on humanitarian efforts in Nigeria. It acknowledges the urgent need for action to prevent the crisis from spiraling further out of control. The conflict and instability in Nigeria, particularly in the northern regions, have created a dire situation where millions of people are dependent on external support for their survival. Without sustained international assistance, the scale of the humanitarian disaster would be catastrophic.