OCHA Biweekly Media Analysis Report (3 - 14 March 2025)

Key Media Narratives

Impact of funding reduction for Humanitarian Operations

The abrupt funding reduction for humanitarian operations continues to disrupt essential services in Nigeria. Reports indicate massive job losses, including contractors, consultants, and community volunteers working in healthcare, education, and food security programmes.
The suspension has adversely impacted family planning services, with experts warning of a looming crisis due to the lack of contraceptive supplies. In the north-east, despite assurances from the Borno State Government that essential services will not be significantly affected, humanitarian actors are concerned that essential supplies of food, health, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services may suffer setbacks.
The funding reduction threatens to widen existing gaps in humanitarian response. This calls for alternative funding sources, faster empowerment of local responders and stronger Government ownership of humanitarian efforts.
It is therefore crucial to strengthen advocacy and resource mobilization efforts to reach local and non-traditional international donors to diversify funding streams. This includes engagement with the private sector, and with development and peace partners through a nexus approach to help tackle the underlying causes of need.
Insecurity and Rising Violence in the Northeast and Northwest Reports of insurgency and banditry remained prevalent in the media, with multiple attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) reported in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, and Zamfara States (Boko Haram abduct varsity professor) (Boko Haram kill one vigilante, burn houses, shops in Gujba).
The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report ranked five attacks by NSAGs in Nigeria among the world’s deadliest in 2024, highlighting the persistent security challenges (Global Terrorism Index Report). Additionally, the Nigerian Army launched offensives in Borno and Adamawa, neutralizing NSAGs and rescuing civilians. The recurrent abductions in resettled communities in the Lake Chad region however, underline the continued vulnerability of returnees.
Insecurity also poses a severe threat to humanitarian access, compounding the challenges of aid delivery.
Strengthened civil-military coordination to facilitate safe humanitarian access, and advocacy for increased investment in stabilization and reintegration programmes, particularly in conflict-affected returnee communities, is necessary.

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Crisis

Media reports highlight a worsening food crisis, with over 30.6 million Nigerians projected to face acute food shortages in the lean season between June and August 2025. The crisis is reportedly driven by climatic shocks, insecurity, and economic instability. Humanitarians are raising concerns about rising malnutrition rates, especially among internally displaced persons (IDPs). The World Food Programme (WFP) warned of possible food assistance cuts if additional funding is not secured.
Food insecurity remains a pressing humanitarian concern, requiring urgent attention.
Insufficient funding could further compromise the response capacity of aid agencies which are already being forced to scale back lifesaving interventions, including for the treatment of severely malnourished children.
Advocacy for increased Government and donor investment to address systemic food security challenges is necessary.

Humanitarian Developments and Opportunities

Several positive developments were reported over the 3-14 March period, including:

• The launch of a $1.2 million inclusive governance project by Oxfam and the Borno State Government.
• Canada’s new initiative to create 8,000 jobs in Nigeria’s agriculture sector as part of its Africa Strategy.
  These developments present opportunities for increased collaboration with local and international stakeholders to strengthen humanitarian response efforts.

Prepared by the:
UNOCHA Nigeria Public Information Unit Date: 14 March 2025