CCN Joins National Drive to Reset Nigeria’s Humanitarian Response

By Onyemaechi Charles Uruakpa

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has joined humanitarian and development stakeholders in calling for a stronger, nationally led humanitarian system that places Nigerian actors and affected communities at the centre of decision-making.

The call was made at the National Conversation on Nigeria’s Humanitarian Reset, convened by Christian Aid Nigeria in partnership with EYN Projects in Abuja.

Representing the CCN at the national dialogue was Miss Chinonye S. Onwuegbu, Programme Officer, who participated in presentations, working-group sessions and plenary discussions focused on the future of humanitarian action in Nigeria.

The conversation brought together representatives of National NGOs, civil society networks, INGOs, UN agencies, faith-based organisations and other humanitarian partners to examine Nigeria’s evolving humanitarian needs and identify practical pathways for improving national leadership, coordination, financing and accountability.

Participants stressed the need to move beyond conventional partnership models towards genuine national ownership, ensuring that national actors have the voice, resources and decision-making authority required to lead humanitarian interventions effectively and sustainably.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of shifting from short-term emergency response towards resilience, locally driven solutions and sustainable leadership, while ensuring that humanitarian action remains accountable to the communities it serves.

The emerging recommendations from the national conversation will contribute to further engagement with the Government and humanitarian stakeholders on strengthening Nigeria’s humanitarian response architecture.

For the CCN, participation in the dialogue reinforces the Council’s commitment to meaningful engagement in national humanitarian and development conversations and to promoting approaches that place people, communities and national institutions at the heart of sustainable humanitarian action.

Participating Organisations:
CAFOD; Plan International Nigeria; African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD); United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA); Save the Children Nigeria; Save the Children UK; Oxfam in Nigeria; World Food Programme (WFP); UNICEF; Chevening Awards (FCDO); and Concern for Women and Children Development Foundation.