7.2 million Nigerians face uncertainty as US exits key UN agencies
Nigeria’s health and humanitarian programmes face risk after US exits UN agencies
Nigeria is facing fresh uncertainty across key health and humanitarian programmes following a sweeping decision by the United States to withdraw from dozens of international organisations that operate in the country, a move that could affect an estimated 7.2 million Nigerians who rely on UN-supported interventions.
The decision, announced by the White House in a fact sheet released on January 7, 2026, confirms that President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memorandum directing the United States to exit 66 international bodies, including 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN organisations. The order requires all US government departments and agencies to immediately halt participation in and funding for the affected organisations.
“The Memorandum orders all Executive Departments and Agencies to cease participating in and funding 35 non-United Nations organisations and 31 UN entities that operate contrary to U.S. national interests, security, economic prosperity, or sovereignty,” the White House said.
While the policy shift is framed as a domestic American decision, its ripple effects are expected to be felt far beyond Washington. In Nigeria, several of the organisations listed play central roles in healthcare delivery, humanitarian response, gender protection, reproductive health, and climate-related programmes, particularly in regions already under strain from conflict, displacement, and poverty.
UN humanitarian data shows that about 7.2 million Nigerians currently depend on assistance delivered through UN-coordinated programmes, many of which receive partial or significant funding from the United States. These programmes are heavily concentrated in the north east, where years of insurgency have weakened local health systems, as well as in communities affected by flooding, food insecurity, and internal displacement.
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Among the organisations impacted are the World Health Organisation, the UN Population Fund, UN Women, the UN Human Rights Council, and climate-focused bodies linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The WHO supports Nigeria’s disease surveillance, immunisation campaigns, and outbreak response systems. UNFPA plays a key role in maternal and reproductive healthcare, while UN Women supports protection and gender focused interventions across vulnerable communities.
The White House defended the decision as part of a broader review of international commitments, arguing that continued participation no longer serves US interests. According to the fact sheet, the withdrawals “will end American taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over U.S. priorities, or that address important issues inefficiently or ineffectively.”
The administration went further, stating that “President Trump is ending U.S. participation in international organisations that undermine America’s independence and waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective or hostile agendas.”
It added that “American taxpayers have spent billions on these organisations with little return, while they often criticise U.S. policies, advance agendas contrary to our values, or waste taxpayer dollars by purporting to address important issues but not achieving any real results.”
The move builds on earlier actions taken by the Trump administration. The White House confirmed that the United States has already withdrawn from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, exited the UN Human Rights Council, and halted future funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for the Near East.
“Immediately upon returning to office, President Trump initiated the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement,” the White House said.
Washington said the policy shift is intended to redirect resources toward domestic priorities. “By exiting these entities, President Trump is saving taxpayer money and refocusing resources on America’s priorities,” the statement added.
No country-specific assessment was provided on how the funding cuts would affect beneficiary nations. However, Nigeria has historically been one of the largest recipients of UN-coordinated humanitarian and health programmes, partly financed by the United States, placing it among the countries most exposed to the consequences of the decision.
For Nigeria, the concern is not only the scale of funding at risk but the timing. The country continues to grapple with overstretched health facilities, high maternal mortality, recurring disease outbreaks, and growing humanitarian needs linked to insecurity and climate shocks. Any disruption to external support could deepen existing gaps in service delivery, particularly in areas where government capacity is already limited.
The memorandum takes immediate effect, requiring US agencies to cease funding and participation in the affected organisations in line with the administration’s revised approach to international engagement. How quickly alternative funding sources can be mobilised, and whether existing programmes can be sustained without US backing, remains an open question for Nigeria and other aid-dependent countries navigating an already fragile global support landscape.
