New York, April 14, 2026 — The United Nations has reiterated its backing for Nigeria’s homegrown approaches to tackling development and humanitarian issues, as senior officials highlight the need for locally driven responses.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, recently returned from a visit to Nigeria, where she travelled to Zamfara and Benue states and engaged with communities affected by insecurity and displacement. According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the visit gave her direct insight into the scale of humanitarian needs, as well as the efforts being made by government authorities and partners on the ground.
At the same time, the UN says digital innovation is reshaping how Nigeria responds to humanitarian crises, particularly in tracking internally displaced persons, even as funding shortages and technological limitations persist.
This was discussed during the 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development at UN Headquarters in New York.
With an estimated two million people displaced by years of insurgency in the northeast, Nigeria has adopted the Displacement Tracking Matrix created by the International Organization for Migration to strengthen data collection and improve response strategies.
The UN noted that the system is being used in more than 90 countries, reflecting the increasing importance of digital tools in development planning and crisis management.
However, concerns remain over issues such as unequal access to technology, risks to data privacy, and the spread of misinformation, which tend to affect vulnerable groups the most.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also warned about declining global funding for development programmes, stressing that current resources fall short of what is required to achieve sustainable development goals. He called for more reliable and increased financial support, particularly for countries facing significant vulnerabilities.
The Commission on Population and Development continues to review how population dynamics influence progress toward sustainable development worldwide.