The United Nations has launched an urgent appeal for $910 million to address the growing humanitarian crisis affecting 3.6 million people in Nigeria’s Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. This announcement was made by UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall during the unveiling of Nigeria’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025 (HNRP) in Abuja.
Fall stated that the humanitarian crisis in these states is the result of multiple intersecting challenges, including ongoing conflict, climate shocks, economic instability, flooding, disease outbreaks, food insecurity, and malnutrition. These issues have intensified vulnerabilities, with millions of people in dire need of assistance.

“The situation in these regions is critical. The factors driving this crisis are complex, but they are all contributing to a situation where millions of people face life-threatening challenges,” Fall said. He emphasized that the financial appeal is crucial to alleviating suffering and providing vital humanitarian aid to affected populations.
In addition to Fall’s remarks, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, addressed the worsening humanitarian challenges, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. Yilwatda called for coordinated efforts between humanitarian organizations, the government, and development partners to address both immediate needs and longer-term solutions for peacebuilding, poverty reduction, and resilience-building in affected areas.
“We need a holistic approach to this crisis, one that not only addresses the immediate humanitarian needs but also focuses on long-term solutions to ensure the development and stability of these regions,” said Yilwatda.
Governors from the affected states — Babagana Zulum of Borno, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe — also voiced their strong commitment to collaborating with the UN and its partners. They underscored the importance of urgent humanitarian assistance while stressing the need for sustainable development strategies to rebuild affected communities and promote peace in the region.
The humanitarian needs in these three northern Nigerian states are among the most pressing in the country. Conflict with insurgent groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), coupled with the impacts of climate change, has left millions without basic necessities such as food, clean water, and healthcare.
The UN’s HNRP aims to provide targeted assistance to those most affected by the crisis, focusing on critical sectors such as food security, health, shelter, and protection. The response plan also calls for significant investment in peacebuilding efforts to address the root causes of the ongoing violence and instability in the region.
With the escalating nature of the crisis, the UN’s appeal for $910 million is seen as a vital step in mitigating the suffering of millions in northern Nigeria and setting the stage for a more sustainable and peaceful future.