The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported spending $5 million, equivalent to approximately N7.4 billion, on shock-response and social protection initiatives in Nigeria during the year 2025.

Serigne Loum, the Acting Country Director of WFP, announced this figure in Abuja. The disclosure was made during the inauguration of the Shock-Responsive Social Protection Technical Working Group and a validation workshop for the Standard Operating Procedure. This event was organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

This significant allocation comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with an escalating food crisis, with an estimated 35 million people facing food insecurity. The situation is particularly acute in the conflict-affected northeast region of the country.

Loum explained that the funding underscores the increasing pressure on humanitarian systems in Nigeria. This strain is attributed to over a decade of overlapping crises that have significantly challenged both government agencies and aid organizations.

He emphasized Nigeria's potential to become a leading example for other nations if its shock-responsive social protection systems are effectively implemented. Loum stated that if the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) protocol is operationalized effectively, Nigeria could serve as a standard reference point for peer learning across Africa and beyond.

Furthermore, Loum noted that Nigeria possesses a comprehensive database of poor and vulnerable households. This existing data is considered a robust foundation for scaling up targeted interventions and enhancing the overall effectiveness of social protection programs.