U.S. Donates $32.5 Million to Tackle Nigeria’s Hunger Crisis

US Embassy in Nigeria.

By iNewsAfrica Staff Reporter | September 4, 2025

Abuja, Nigeria – In a bold humanitarian push, the United States Government has pledged $32.5 million to combat the worsening food insecurity gripping Nigeria’s conflict-torn northern regions. The move comes as millions of Nigerians face the stark reality of hunger, malnutrition, and displacement amid violence and climate shocks.

Lifeline for the Vulnerable

According to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the funds will be channeled through the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide urgent relief to more than 764,000 internally displaced persons in Nigeria’s Northeast and Northwest. Beneficiaries will include:

• 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women

• 43,235 children threatened by malnutrition

• Thousands of families in makeshift camps and vulnerable host communities

To ensure accountability and efficiency, aid will be delivered through electronic food vouchers, empowering recipients to access nutrition with dignity.

Hunger at Breaking Point

The donation comes at a critical juncture. Earlier this year, the WFP warned that 1.3 million people in Borno State alone risked losing food support as funding shortages threatened to shutter more than 150 nutrition clinics. Nigeria’s broader crisis is staggering: an estimated 31 million people are grappling with acute food insecurity in 2025, driven by insurgency, banditry, inflation, and erratic weather patterns.

Communities across Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna remain caught in a vicious cycle of violence and hunger. In June, armed groups killed more than 150 villagers in one attack, underscoring how insecurity directly disrupts farming and food access.

A Signal of Renewed Commitment

U.S. officials say the assistance underscores Washington’s commitment to Nigeria and its people. Just weeks earlier, the U.S. had announced a $93 million emergency food program for 13 nations, including Nigeria, to boost therapeutic food supplies for severely malnourished children.

“This is not just about filling stomachs,” a USAID representative explained. “It’s about protecting lives, preserving dignity, and laying the groundwork for long-term food security.”

Beyond Aid: Building Resilience

While the donation offers hope, experts warn that humanitarian relief is only a stopgap. Nigeria must urgently strengthen local agriculture, improve rural security, and build resilient food systems to reduce dependence on emergency rations.

For now, however, this $32.5 million intervention is a vital lifeline for mothers, children, and families on the brink of starvation.