The World Food Programme (WFP) has disclosed that it spent about five million dollars—approximately N7.4 billion—on Shock-Responsive and Social Protection (SRSP) interventions in Nigeria in 2025.
The Acting Country Director of WFP, Serigne Loum, made this known during the inauguration of the SRSP Technical Working Group and a workshop to validate the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in Abuja.
The event, organised in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, focused on strengthening social safety nets for emergency and disaster response.
Loum said the agency plans to increase its funding and expand interventions in 2026 to reach more vulnerable populations. He highlighted that at least 35 million people in Nigeria are currently facing food insecurity, with a significant number located in the North-East.
He explained that in 2025, WFP supported about 70,000 people in Adamawa State through anticipatory actions ahead of flooding, enabling them to take preventive measures before the disaster occurred.
According to him, the organisation aims to increase that number to about 80,000 beneficiaries in 2026, while also broadening its social protection coverage.
Loum reiterated WFP’s commitment to achieving zero hunger, noting that the agency is also focused on strengthening government systems in areas such as social protection, emergency response, and policy coordination.
He added that Nigeria possesses one of the largest social registers of vulnerable households in the region but has faced prolonged crises, including conflict and climate-related shocks, which have stretched national and humanitarian response systems.
Loum expressed optimism that effective implementation of the SOP framework would position Nigeria as a model for other countries in Africa and beyond.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, said the country continues to grapple with economic pressures, insecurity, and environmental challenges such as floods and droughts.
He noted that these shocks disrupt livelihoods and hinder development, making shock-responsive social protection a critical tool for preparedness and response.
Olusanya added that the validated SOP would enhance coordination, improve transparency, and clearly define institutional roles, ultimately strengthening support for vulnerable populations across the country.