EU Commits €1.5M to Benue Conflict Victims Amid Nigeria's Nutrition Crisis

In a significant gesture of humanitarian solidarity, the European Union (EU) has committed €1.5 million to support victims of the recent conflict in Benue State, Nigeria. The funding package—designed to provide both immediate relief and long-term support—was announced following a high-level meeting between EU officials and Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The financial commitment includes €500,000 from the EU Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for rapid response, and €1 million repurposed from the EU-funded SIDPIN Project, which focuses on durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The assistance comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with multiple humanitarian emergencies, including a severe malnutrition crisis affecting children under five and lactating mothers, especially across Benue, Borno, Sokoto, and other states in the North East and North West.

A Coordinated Humanitarian Partnership

The EU funding will be implemented in close collaboration with several international agencies, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and UN-Habitat, alongside other humanitarian NGOs.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot, disclosed the commitment during a strategic dialogue 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 directors of the ministry. The meeting took place on 14 July 2025 in Abuja.

The session followed a joint EU-ministerial assessment visit to Benue State (24–25 June), where officials visited IDP camps to assess conditions firsthand and determine urgent areas of intervention.

Broader Context: Worsening Nutrition and Food Security Crisis

The EU’s support to Benue State forms part of a broader humanitarian effort. In 2025 alone, the EU, through ECHO, has already delivered €35 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, primarily focusing on nutrition, food insecurity, and conflict-affected populations. A possible top-up of this funding is under consideration as needs escalate.

Nigeria is currently facing one of its worst lean seasons, with malnutrition and food insecurity reaching alarming levels. Vulnerable populations in the North East and North West, as well as emerging crisis zones, are at increasing risk of starvation and disease.

“We are in acute need of nutrition for children under five and lactating mothers,” Minister Yilwatda said, reflecting on his recent visits to Borno and Benue States. “We appreciate the continuous support of the international community, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to ensuring no one is left behind.”

Government Actions and Multilateral Strategy

Minister Yilwatda confirmed that validated needs assessments are underway in Benue State, and that the government is mobilizing food support. He announced plans to:

• Establish a pooled funding mechanism supported by federal, state, and donor contributions.

• Launch an advocacy campaign with the Nigerian Governors Forum.

• Declare malnutrition a national emergency, in order to galvanize coordinated action and resource mobilization.

The EU and the Ministry also agreed to form a joint task force to accelerate nutrition interventions. The task force will define roles, streamline supply chains, and support a coordinated food security assessment with key partners. It will also establish a multi-stakeholder coordination platform for humanitarian actors to ensure more effective and responsive assistance delivery.

Joint Mission to Sokoto State

To deepen their understanding of the unfolding crisis, Ambassador Mignot and Minister Yilwatda conducted a joint visit to Sokoto State from 19–20 July 2025, accompanied by representatives from UNICEF, Action Against Hunger (ACF), and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The delegation paid a courtesy call to Sokoto State Governor, H.E. Ahmad Aliyu, and visited nutrition stabilization centers for children under five. These facilities, operated by ACF and MSF with support from UNICEF, offer lifesaving treatment for severe acute malnutrition.

The visit provided firsthand insight into both the severity of the crisis and the resilience of frontline health workers. Urgent discussions focused on how to rapidly scale up intervention, improve logistics, and increase nutritional outreach in high-risk zones.

A Lifeline for Vulnerable Nigerians

The EU’s €1.5 million pledge is not only a lifeline for victims of the Benue conflict but also a testament to the importance of international collaboration in addressing humanitarian emergencies.

As Nigeria continues to confront complex crises—from armed conflict to food insecurity—such partnerships are essential in building a more resilient and inclusive humanitarian response system.

The establishment of a national emergency task force, the pooling of funds, and the formal recognition of malnutrition as a crisis are key steps toward safeguarding the health and dignity of millions of Nigerians on the brink.