FG, UN, Partners, Begin Humanitarian Transition Workshop to Strengthen National Ownership of Humanitarian Response
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations and Development Partners has commenced a two-day Humanitarian Transition Workshop aimed at Developing a Nationally led, Sustainable, and Resilient Humanitarian Coordination System for the Country.
Declaring the workshop open at the United Nations House, Central Business District, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, stated that, the global humanitarian system is undergoing a profound reset due to declining international humanitarian financing, necessitating stronger national ownership and sustainable domestic solutions.
The Minister noted that Nigeria’s transition is not a withdrawal from international partnership but a deliberate shift towards a government- led humanitarian coordination system anchored on the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS).
According to him, the initiative seeks to end fragmentation, eliminate duplication, and ensure coordinated, accountable, and efficient deployment of both domestic and external resources.
Dr. Doro emphasized the need for increased domestic resource mobilisation, stronger federal and state budgetary commitments, private sector participation, diaspora engagement, and strengthened collaboration with development partners to build a humanitarian system capable of withstanding external funding fluctuations.
Speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malik Fall, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s transition towards a nationally owned humanitarian response system.
He stressed that, the transition is about transforming the way humanitarian support is delivered and ensuring that National Institutions increasingly lead coordination, planning, and implementation while maintaining support for vulnerable populations.
The Director, Nigeria INGO Forum, Mr. Ndubuisi Emeka Anyanwu underscored the importance of inclusive partnerships, noting that, National and International NGOs must remain integral to planning and decision-making processes. He stressed that the success of the transition should ultimately be measured by improvements in the lives of affected populations.
Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar and the Statistician-General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran amongst many other Humanitarian donors delivered Goodwill messages and pledged their supports on the transition process.
Participants at the workshop are expected to develop practical recommendations and a joint action plan that will guide Nigeria’s humanitarian transition over the coming months, strengthen national coordination structures, and support the development of the 2027 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan within the OHOPRS framework.
The workshop reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a humanitarian system that is nationally led, locally grounded, sustainably financed, and capable of delivering lasting solutions to vulnerable Nigerians.
