The World Food Programme of the United Nations (WFP) has revealed that it has spent five million dollars, approximately N7.4 billion, on Shock-Response and Social Protection (SRSP) programmes in Nigeria in 2025 to protect vulnerable households and strengthen food systems across the country.
The Acting Country Director of WFP, Serigne Loum, disclosed this in Abuja during the inauguration of the Shock-Responsive Social Protection Technical Working Group and the validation of the Standard Operating Procedure workshop.
The programme, organised by the World Food Programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, focused on leveraging social safety nets to respond to emergencies and disasters, particularly those affecting food production and rural livelihoods.
Loum assured that WFP would scale up its financial commitment and interventions in 2026 to reach more people, especially those affected by food insecurity and agricultural disruptions.
He noted that no fewer than 35 million people in Nigeria are food insecure, with a large number located in the northeast, a region heavily affected by conflict and climate-related shocks that continue to disrupt farming activities and food supply chains.
“Last year, WFP was able to provide unprepared action support to 70,000 people in Adamawa who were affected by the flood. The assistance provided was very timely and allowed them to take some preventive actions before the flood hit. This year, we are aiming to increase that number, maybe reaching 80,000 people for unprepared action and also more people for social protection,” he said.
The intervention is designed to help households take early action before disasters such as floods occur, reducing the impact on farms, crops, and food availability.
By providing timely support, the programme helps farmers and rural communities protect their livelihoods and maintain food production even in the face of climate shocks.
Loum said that WFP was committed to achieving zero hunger through its operations and by strengthening government systems that support agriculture and food security.
These include social protection frameworks, anticipatory action systems, emergency response mechanisms, and policy coordination aimed at improving how Nigeria responds to food crises.
“Nigeria has one of the largest social registers of poor and vulnerable households in the region.”
“Unfortunately, the country has also been experiencing multiple crises and shocks for over a decade, which has overstretched both the national disaster agencies and the humanitarian partners.”
“Therefore, Nigeria is setting a standard if the SOP protocol is effectively operationalised. Nigeria will be a standard reference point for peer learning in Africa and beyond,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Olubunmi Olusanya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, said Nigeria continues to face economic, environmental, and conflict-related challenges that directly affect agriculture and food systems.
He noted that floods and droughts disrupt farming cycles, reduce yields, and create instability in food supply, making it harder for households to sustain their livelihoods.
According to him, these shocks threaten life-sustaining ventures and slow down economic growth and development, particularly in rural communities where agriculture is the main source of income.
He explained that shock-responsive social protection has become essential in helping the country anticipate, prepare for, and respond to such disruptions in a more coordinated and effective way.
“The validation of a SRSP marks the quickest step forward. This system promotes coherence between material intervention indicators, including governance and organisations, to better serve the vulnerable populations.”
“They provide a practical tool to protect coordination and clarify roles without encroaching on institutional matters, and promote efficiency, transparency, and adaptability in response,” he said.
