The European Union has dismissed claims suggesting a reduction in its humanitarian aid to Nigeria, especially regarding efforts aimed at curbing the country’s rising food and nutrition insecurity.
This rebuttal comes in response to a press release issued on July 25 by Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders, which alleged that both the EU and other international donors had significantly slashed their funding for Nigeria’s nutrition crisis.
However, in a statement released on Monday and signed by the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, the Union labeled the claims as “unsubstantiated and inaccurate.”
It emphasized that the level of humanitarian assistance provided through the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Office this year has remained steady.
“The level of EU humanitarian support granted by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Office ECHO in Nigeria in the first half of 2025 has in fact been similar to the one provided in the first half of 2024, and, as done in previous years, the EU is working to increase the amount with additional top-ups,” the statement read.
According to the EU, as was the case last year, a substantial portion of its support continues to target critical areas such as nutrition, health services, and emergency food relief.
The EU further noted that MSF has since updated its original press release, removing references to the EU as one of the international donors that had allegedly reduced funding.
“The EU Delegation takes note of the revised version of the press release published today by MSF, which eliminates the mention of the European Union when speaking of massive cuts by international donors,” the statement added.
While acknowledging and praising the impact of MSF’s humanitarian operations in Nigeria, some of which receive EU funding, the EU stressed the need for accuracy in public communication, particularly when it involves humanitarian issues that affect countless lives.
Reiterating its unwavering commitment to Nigeria, the EU cited remarks made by its ambassador at a joint press conference held on July 22 with the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and other humanitarian partners.
The Union renewed its call for enhanced cooperation from both domestic and international stakeholders in supporting at-risk communities.
“The EU is keeping its financial commitments and its general level of support across the board in the framework of its partnership with Nigeria,” the EU Delegation concluded.
