By Golok Nanmwa,Jos
The Federal Government and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have agreed to deepen collaboration as Nigeria moves towards a more locally driven, efficient and sustainable humanitarian system.
During a courtesy and technical meeting with the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, OCHA’s Head of Office, Mr. Trond Jensen, outlined the agency’s global shift toward empowering national institutions and local organizations to take the lead in humanitarian response. Jensen, who has led OCHA’s work in Nigeria for several years, said the country is well-placed to serve as a model for this transition.
He highlighted new measures designed to channel more support directly to Nigerian partners, strengthen community-level delivery and increase the use of cost-effective tools such as cash-based assistance and locally produced nutritional supplements like the “Tom Brown” formula. These approaches, he noted, ensure faster, more flexible and more relevant aid for vulnerable populations.
Jensen also explained that OCHA’s long-term plan is to gradually hand over full coordination roles to Nigerian institutions by 2028; reflecting growing national capacity and the government’s strong commitment to humanitarian reform. “We want to leave behind a lasting legacy: a system fully led, implemented and owned by Nigeria,” he said.
Responding, the Minister welcomed the new direction of the partnership, noting that it aligns perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen sub national structures, improve coordination and enhance accountability in humanitarian and poverty reduction efforts.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s determination to build a system where federal and state governments, NGOs and development partners work seamlessly through a unified national framework.
He also announced the upcoming inauguration of the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, as well as efforts at ensuring greater transparency and more measurable results of the work of the Ministry.
The Minister commended OCHA, under Jensen’s leadership, for its years of service to Nigeria and expressed optimism that the ongoing collaboration will deliver a stronger, more resilient humanitarian architecture. “This is a call to step up, organize ourselves better and take full ownership,” he said. “We are ready for the heavy lifting.”
Both sides agreed to hold further sessions to jointly design the transition roadmap and address operational issues such as the entry of essential medical supplies, as Nigeria and OCHA work toward a modernized, locally led humanitarian ecosystem.