FAO launches 2026 - 2028 Emergency and Resilience Plan to support 12.6 million people in Nigeria amid deepening food crisis
From the FAO in Nigeria office
Engagements with stakeholders reaffirmed a shared commitment to tackling food insecurity through stronger livelihoods and better production. Tuesday 10 February 2026.
©FAO/Kelvin Nwachukwu
With 34.7 million people projected to face Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity by mid-2026, including more than 5.4 million acutely malnourished children, Nigeria remains at the epicentre of one of the world’s most severe food emergencies. In response to these alarming projections, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) officially launched, from 11 to 16 February 2026 in Abuja, its Emergency and Resilience Plan (ERP) 2026-2028 for Nigeria, marking a decisive step towards safeguarding livelihoods, restoring food production and strengthening resilience in crisis-affected communities.
The plan is structured around four interlinked pillars: emergency agriculture to protect and restore rural livelihoods and improve nutrition; resilience building to strengthen climate-resilient production systems, social cohesion and durable solutions for displaced populations; agrifood value chains and job creation to expand market access and economic opportunities for youth and women; and evidence and coordination to reinforce data systems and multi-hazard early warning mechanisms for anticipatory action.
The launch of the Plan for Nigeria is part of FAO’s broader contribution to the Global Emergency and Resilience Appeal 2026; a USD 2.5 billion initiative; that was launched in December 2025, targeting over 100 million people across 54 countries to combat acute food insecurity through rapid agricultural interventions and sustained resilience investments.
During the launch event, FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr Hussein Gadain, stated: “Agriculture is not only a livelihood; it is a life-saving intervention. When we support farmers, pastoralists, fishers, and agro-processors with timely inputs, services and market access, we protect food production, reduce dependency on food aid, stabilize local markets and create employment, especially for women and youth. This understanding is at the heart of FAO’s Emergency and Resilience Plan for Nigeria for 2026 to 2028.”
Senior Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer, Dunja Dujanovic, added: “The Nigeria ERP is a critical contribution at a pivotal time in the country with the planned reduction of the humanitarian footprint within the context of growing food insecurity. It offers solutions which aim to not only address immediate needs but decrease those needs over time.”
Prior to the official launch in Maiduguri, FAO held consultations with key national and international stakeholders. Meetings began with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on 11 February, followed by meetings with donors, development partners and international financial institutions. On the 16 February, the consultations concluded with field visits to FAO programme participants and project site communities and discussions with, the Borno State Government, including the Secretary to the State Government, Commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies. These consultations reinforced the importance of agriculture as a key solution to Nigeria’s food crisis, and a collective commitment to aligning humanitarian action with government priorities and ensuring coordinated, locally driven implementation.
As conflict, climate shocks, economic pressures and displacement continue to erode rural livelihoods, particularly in the Northeast, the ERP offers a pathway from crisis response to recovery and resilience. By investing in agriculture as a frontline humanitarian intervention, FAO aims not only to save lives, but to restore dignity, rebuild local food systems and enable vulnerable communities to shape their own sustainable futures.
The successful implementation of the Plan will require strong partnerships and sustained financial support. FAO calls on development and humanitarian partners to join in scaling up agricultural action that delivers immediate relief while laying the foundation for long-term stability and food security in Nigeria.
Related Link:
https://www.fao.org/emergencies/appeals/global-appeal/en