The Federal Government has launched the distribution of Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition items in Borno State, as part of a broader nationwide intervention aimed at addressing food insecurity and humanitarian challenges across northern Nigeria.
The exercise was formally flagged off in Maiduguri by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard M. Doro, at Ramat Square on Thursday, January 5, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Dr Doro said the intervention was designed to provide immediate relief to vulnerable households affected by years of conflict, displacement, and economic hardship. He described the programme as a deliberate and coordinated effort to stabilise nutrition, protect lives, and restore hope among affected populations.
“Today’s intervention is not just emergency relief. It is a decisive and coordinated step to stabilise nutrition, protect lives and restore hope,” the minister said.
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He explained that the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention covers 10 states in northern Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi. According to him, the scale of the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to food security, nutrition stabilisation and humanitarian protection.
Nationwide, the government has approved and mobilised large quantities of essential food and nutrition items, including rice, beans, millet, maize, groundnut oil, palm oil, tom brown, tomato paste, seasoning cubes, salt, and assorted essential medicines.
Dr Doro disclosed that Borno State received one of the largest allocations under the programme, based on its humanitarian needs and the number of vulnerable households. The allocation includes 8,565 bags each of millet, rice and maize; 8,565 units of groundnut oil; 1,429 cartons of palm oil; 8,565 units of tom brown; 171 cartons of tomato paste; 611 cartons of seasoning cubes; 107 bags of salt; and assorted essential medicines.
Commending the resilience of the people of Borno, the minister said the support represents more than food aid. “This support represents sustenance, dignity and renewed hope,” he said, while also praising security agencies, development partners, community leaders and frontline workers for their continued collaboration in humanitarian efforts across the state.
He urged beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, particularly to support children, pregnant women and the elderly, and assured that the distribution process would be closely monitored to ensure transparency and that items reach the intended recipients.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, said the exercise marked a significant step in addressing food insecurity among the most vulnerable populations. He stressed the ministry’s commitment to a distribution process that is transparent, fair and accountable.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for what he described as a timely and compassionate intervention. He said food security remains a moral imperative and a foundation for sustainable peace and development in the state.
The deputy governor assured that the state government would work closely with federal authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth distribution of the items across all local government areas.
The event was attended by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Ahmed Tijani, commissioners, ministry directors and representatives of development partners.
The distribution exercise is expected to bring relief to thousands of households and contribute to ongoing efforts to address food insecurity and humanitarian needs in Borno State.
