U.S. gives $5m for Nigeria’s malnutrition crisis despite Trump’s aid threat

The United States has released $5 million to UNICEF to provide lifesaving nutrition support for at least 70,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition across Northwest Nigeria, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja said Friday.

The funds will supply ready-to-use therapeutic food, essential medicines, and other emergency items as the region battles rising hunger and worsening insecurity. Washington described the support as part of its commitment to global humanitarian leadership.

“The State Department provided $5 million to UNICEF to deliver lifesaving nutrition support to at least 70,000 children with acute malnutrition in Northwest Nigeria,” it said.

“These funds will be used by UNICEF to provide ready-to-use food, medicine, and other humanitarian supplies.  This commitment to donate lifesaving assistance affirms U.S. global leadership, strength, and compassion.”

Aid Cut Threat

The intervention comes as northern Nigeria faces nutrition emergencies. UN agencies warn that millions of children are at risk as armed violence, displacement, high food prices, and reduced farming combine to push entire communities into crisis.

Aid agencies say overstretched health facilities struggle to cope. In many rural areas, bandit attacks and kidnappings have forced farmers off their land, shrinking food production and leaving families dependent on irregular humanitarian supplies.

The situation has been compounded by funding cuts to global aid programmes by the U.S. government.

Friday’s announcement also follows a month strained relations between Abuja and Washington after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all American aid to Nigeria. Trump accused Nigerian authorities of failing to stop widespread killings of Christians and warned of possible economic and military action. Nigeria rejected the allegation and the threat, calling it unfounded and dangerous.

Despite the tensions, the U.S. remains a major humanitarian donor in Nigeria, particularly in the conflict-hit northern zones where insurgency and banditry continue to displace thousands.