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The federal government has stepped up efforts to strengthen humanitarian support across Nigeria as it moves to renew its cooperation agreement with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), popularly known as Doctors Without Borders.
At a high-level meeting in Abuja on Monday, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning met with the leadership of MSF Nigeria to discuss extending their Federal Cooperation Agreement and expanding collaboration to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian services nationwide.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting humanitarian programmes, even as he acknowledged persistent challenges affecting service delivery in several parts of the country.
According to him, many local government areas still struggle with poor infrastructure, weak laboratory systems due to electricity shortages and lack of equipment, and limited emergency services. Bagudu also cited uneven performance of health systems across communities, gaps in development indicators, especially in northern states, and issues around community perception and participation in health interventions.
He further noted that better management and allocation of public resources remain critical to improving healthcare delivery.
Despite the challenges, the minister said the government is working to strengthen coordination, accountability and long-term development planning. He also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve health systems, expand economic opportunities, boost agriculture and build sustainable local structures that can gradually reduce reliance on foreign aid.
On his part, MSF Country Director Pitchou Kayembe expressed appreciation for the continued partnership with the Nigerian government and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to delivering life-saving humanitarian assistance.
He stressed MSF’s long-standing presence in Nigeria and noted the organisation’s continued support for field teams working in difficult environments.
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Kayembe added that MSF remains actively engaged with government agencies on operational issues, including project supervision, site inspections, and programme verification.
The organisation also collaborates closely with ministries on policy coordination and service delivery while maintaining strict adherence to established procedures and programme standards.
“We remain committed to maintaining high-quality medical and humanitarian aid despite the challenges,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Deborah Odoh, also praised MSF’s long-standing contribution to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
She particularly commended the organisation’s efforts in reaching underserved communities, especially in northern Nigeria, and reaffirmed the ministry’s support for its humanitarian operations.
The meeting ended with both parties agreeing on the urgent need to renew the cooperation agreement to avoid any disruption in essential services.
MSF has been operating in Nigeria since 1996 and currently runs healthcare projects in 11 states, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno, Ebonyi and Cross River, providing critical medical care to communities affected by conflict, disease outbreaks and limited access to healthcare.
