ABUJA — Nigeria is preparing to take a greater leadership role in coordinating its humanitarian response as international donors and United Nations agencies adjust their approach to supporting the country's humanitarian needs. The development was discussed during a joint transition workshop involving the Nigerian government and the United Nations in Abuja. Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Minister Bernard Doro said the transition should not be interpreted as an end to international assistance. Instead, he described it as a move toward greater government leadership supported by technical assistance from the United Nations system. Nigeria faces humanitarian challenges arising from conflict, displacement, food insecurity, climate shocks and health emergencies. Millions of people across the country require some form of humanitarian or social assistance, while several regions continue to experience insecurity and displacement. The humanitarian system has historically relied heavily on international donors and UN agencies to provide funding, coordination and technical support. Changes in global aid budgets and increasing donor fatigue have created pressure for countries to take greater responsibility for financing and coordinating their own humanitarian responses. The Nigerian government is therefore seeking to strengthen domestic institutions and increase the role of local and private-sector funding. One of the major concerns is food insecurity. Humanitarian officials estimate that tens of millions of Nigerians face significant risks related to hunger as international assistance becomes more constrained. Conflict and displacement have disrupted agriculture and livelihoods in parts of the country, while high food prices have increased pressure on vulnerable households. Climate-related disasters are another growing concern. Flooding and other extreme weather events can destroy homes, farmland and infrastructure, forcing communities to seek temporary assistance. Effective humanitarian planning requires coordination between federal agencies, state governments, local authorities, aid organisations and affected communities. The proposed transition is intended to strengthen that coordination and place the Nigerian government at the centre of the response. International agencies will continue to provide technical assistance, data and expertise where needed. Developing the country's 2027 humanitarian plan is expected to be an important part of the transition. A national plan can help identify priority areas, estimate funding requirements and coordinate the activities of government agencies and humanitarian organisations. Reliable data will be essential because humanitarian needs can change rapidly when conflict, flooding or disease outbreaks occur. Local organisations are also expected to play a larger role. Community-based groups often have direct knowledge of affected populations and can reach areas that larger organisations may find difficult to access. Strengthening local capacity could therefore improve the speed and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance. Private-sector participation could provide another source of funding. Nigerian businesses and philanthropic organisations can contribute resources, logistics and technical expertise to emergency responses. However, humanitarian assistance must remain focused on need and should not become dependent on commercial interests. The transition also places greater responsibility on government institutions. Effective coordination requires clear leadership, transparent funding and mechanisms for monitoring how assistance is distributed. Public confidence can be strengthened when affected communities can see how resources are allocated and when complaints can be addressed. The changing international funding environment makes this particularly important. Reduced donor contributions can create gaps in humanitarian programmes if domestic resources are not increased quickly enough. Nigeria will need to balance its ambition for greater ownership with the continuing need for international support. The UN has indicated that it will remain involved through technical assistance and coordination. The organisation's experience in humanitarian planning, food security, health and protection can help Nigeria strengthen its own systems. The transition therefore represents a change in roles rather than a complete withdrawal of international partners. For communities affected by conflict and displacement, the most important issue is whether assistance continues to arrive when it is needed. Humanitarian systems must be capable of responding quickly to emergencies while also addressing longer-term recovery and resilience. Nigeria's move toward greater government leadership could strengthen national ownership if it is supported by adequate resources and effective institutions. The coming period will test the country's ability to coordinate federal and state responses, mobilise domestic funding and work effectively with international partners. With millions of people facing humanitarian risks, strengthening the national response will remain an important priority.