US withdraws from 66 UN and global bodies, raising concerns for Africa and Nigeria

The United States has ordered its withdrawal from dozens of international organisations, UN agencies, and multilateral agreements, a sweeping move that could reshape global cooperation and carry significant consequences for Africa, including Nigeria.

In a presidential memorandum dated January 7, 2026, President Donald Trump directed all US government departments to immediately end participation in, and funding for, international bodies deemed “contrary to the interests of the United States.” The decision follows a year-long review ordered in February 2025 and submitted by the US Secretary of State.

The list of affected institutions is extensive and unusually consequential for developing regions. It includes major United Nations entities such as the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Women, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa.

Also targeted are climate and environmental bodies including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

What it Means for Nigeria

For Nigeria, the implications could be far-reaching. UNECA plays a central role in advising African governments on economic policy, debt sustainability, trade integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and infrastructure financing.

UNFPA and UN Women are involved in Nigeria’s maternal health, reproductive health, and gender equality programmes, areas where international funding and technical support remain critical.

Analysts say US withdrawal could weaken these institutions financially and politically, even if they continue to operate. The United States is historically one of the largest contributors to UN agencies, and its exit often triggers funding gaps, programme delays, or reduced influence for affected regions.

Beyond Africa, the memorandum also targets the Peacebuilding Fund, the UN Democracy Fund, and offices focused on children in armed conflict and sexual violence in war — institutions active in conflict-affected parts of West Africa, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa.

Stepping Back

The move marks a sharp escalation in Washington’s retreat from multilateralism. While the memorandum states that further reviews are ongoing, it instructs agencies to halt engagement “as soon as possible,” signalling urgency rather than gradual disengagement.

Supporters of the decision argue that the US should not bankroll institutions it views as inefficient or misaligned with its priorities. Critics warn, however, that the withdrawal risks ceding global leadership, undermining international cooperation, and disproportionately harming regions like Africa that rely on multilateral platforms for development finance, climate adaptation, and peacebuilding.