By ifeoma Onyekachi

The United Nations has reiterated its backing for homegrown strategies in addressing Nigeria’s complex humanitarian and development challenges, emphasising the importance of locally driven responses in achieving sustainable impact.

According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, recently concluded a visit to Nigeria, where she toured conflict-affected communities in Zamfara State and Benue State. During the trip, she engaged with displaced populations and observed both the scale of humanitarian needs and ongoing interventions by government agencies and partners.

Dujarric noted that the visit provided firsthand insight into the realities faced by communities grappling with insecurity and displacement, as well as the resilience of local response systems.

In a related development, the UN highlighted the growing role of digital innovation in strengthening Nigeria’s humanitarian response, particularly in tracking internally displaced persons (IDPs). This was discussed at the 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD59) held at UN Headquarters in New York City.

With an estimated two million people displaced by prolonged insurgency in the northeast, Nigeria has adopted the Displacement Tracking Matrix developed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to enhance data collection and improve response coordination. The UN said the tool is currently in use across more than 90 countries, reflecting the increasing integration of technology into development planning.

However, the organisation cautioned that challenges such as digital inequality, data privacy concerns, and the spread of misinformation continue to pose risks—particularly for vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed concern over dwindling global funding for development initiatives, warning that current financing levels fall short of what is required to achieve sustainable development goals. He called for more reliable and sustained funding mechanisms, especially for countries facing heightened vulnerability.

The Commission on Population and Development examines how population dynamics intersect with sustainable development, providing a platform for global policy dialogue and cooperation.