Abuja: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a budget allocation of $2.5 billion for its Nigeria Country Strategy Plans (CSP) spanning from 2023 to 2027. This initiative is aimed at achieving zero hunger and improving nutrition across Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the announcement was made by Mr. Seriene Loum, Head of Programme at WFP, during a Co-creation workshop in Abuja. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the National Social Investment Programme Agency (N-SIPA). Loum, representing the WFP Country Director, emphasized that the WFP’s strategic goal aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 1 and 2, which focus on poverty eradication and zero hunger.
The WFP plans to collaborate closely with United Nations member states, including Nigeria, to mobilize resources for the full implementation of these programs. The five-year Nigeria CSP aims to strengthen institutional capacities and create an enabling environment to meet national targets for zero hunger by 2030. Key areas of focus include food technology, supply chain fortification, nutrition improvement, and emergency preparedness.
Loum highlighted that Nigeria operates one of Africa’s largest social safety net programs. He noted that considering the current economic trends and vulnerabilities, approximately 25 million Nigerians are acutely food insecure, with projections indicating this could rise to 33 million by mid-2025. He stressed the importance of collaboration between WFP and the Nigerian government to meet these ambitious goals.
Professor Badamasi Lawal, CEO of NSIPA, also addressed the seminar, which aims to harness collective expertise and resources to impact Nigerians’ lives positively. Represented by Mrs. Uche Obi, Director of Human Resources Management, Lawal commended the WFP’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. He emphasized that WFP’s partnership highlights the power of international cooperation in creating a more equitable society.
The NSIP, launched in 2016 and elevated to an agency in 2023, has made significant progress in addressing poverty and inequality through various programs. These include the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, and others aimed at providing economic empowerment and improved well-being to millions of Nigerians.
Lawal remarked that WFP’s expertise in food security and emergency response is crucial in enhancing NSIPA’s programs and achieving greater impact. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would foster knowledge sharing and innovative solutions to address Nigeria’s complex challenges. WFP’s investment in this partnership underscores its commitment to Nigeria’s development and its people’s well-being.