The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigerian-led solutions to development and humanitarian challenges. UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated that Mohammed recently returned from Nigeria, where she visited Zamfara and Benue states. During her visit, she met communities affected by insecurity and displacement.

Dujarric noted that Mohammed witnessed firsthand the scale of humanitarian needs, as well as the ongoing response efforts by authorities and partners. The UN also highlighted that digital tools are significantly transforming Nigeria’s response to humanitarian challenges, including the tracking of internally displaced persons, despite facing funding constraints and technology gaps.

This development was emphasized at the ongoing 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD59) at UN Headquarters in New York. Nigeria, which has approximately two million displaced persons due to prolonged insurgency in the northeast, has adopted the Displacement Tracking Matrix. This matrix was developed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to enhance data collection and response efforts.

The UN pointed out that the Displacement Tracking Matrix supports decision-making in over 90 countries, underscoring the increasing role of technology in development planning. However, the organization cautioned about challenges such as digital inequality, data privacy risks, and the spread of misinformation, which particularly affect vulnerable populations.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed concerns regarding the declining global funding for development programmes. He warned that current funding levels are insufficient to meet the sustainable development goals. Guterres called for stronger and more predictable financing, with a particular focus on supporting vulnerable countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Commission on Population and Development examines the impact of population trends on sustainable development.