The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has firmly denied reports of “massive cuts” to its humanitarian support for Nigeria, particularly in response to worsening food and nutrition insecurity.
The EU’s reaction comes after Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, released a statement on 25 July alleging a significant reduction in funding from several international donors, including the EU.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Delegation’s Press and Information Officer, Modestus Chukwulaka, the EU dismissed the claims as “unsubstantiated and inaccurate.”
“The level of EU humanitarian support granted by the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) in Nigeria in the first half of 2025 has in fact been similar to that of the same period in 2024,” the EU said. “As in previous years, the EU is working to increase the amount with additional top-ups.”
The EU stressed that a substantial portion of ECHO’s funding continues to support nutrition, health, and emergency food assistance, especially in regions hardest hit by hunger and displacement, including the North-West and North-East.
Following the EU’s objections, MSF revised its original statement, removing the specific reference to the EU in relation to the alleged donor funding cuts. The EU acknowledged the correction and praised MSF’s ongoing efforts on the ground.
“We commend the work performed by MSF teams, partly through EU funding, to help malnourished children and their mothers in Nigeria,” the Delegation said, noting that their ambassador had observed this work firsthand during a visit to Sokoto State on 19–20 July.
However, the EU called for greater accuracy in public communications on humanitarian matters. “It is of utmost importance that verified and accurate information is shared on an issue that affects the lives of millions of Nigerians,” the statement read.
Reiterating its commitment, the EU said it remained a reliable partner to Nigeria and continues to honour its financial commitments. The statement also echoed calls made by the EU Ambassador at a joint press conference on 22 July alongside the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, urging the mobilisation of both domestic and international resources to tackle Nigeria’s deepening nutrition crisis.
“The EU is keeping its general level of support across the board in the framework of its partnership with Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
