Our work in Nigeria

Overview

Nigeria is a nation where widespread poverty exists in the midst of plenty. Despite immense resources, years of debilitating military rule have left the country vulnerable to poor governance, corruption, economic instability and severe human rights violations.

The conflict provoked by Boko Haram in North East Nigeria has left 2.1 million people displaced from their homes, most of them remaining within the country. The government has taken back control in some areas, and internally displaced people have slowly started returning to their hometowns. However, they are finding that their communities have been destroyed, and there is a severe lack of resources to rebuild.

Insufficient access to food is a huge problem, with many parts of the northeast on the brink of famine. In the three most affected states, almost 7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, more than half of them children.

Our work in Nigeria

Tearfund Nigeria works to tackle poverty and injustice via integrated approaches of community development, disaster response and recovery, and disaster risk reduction. We work in partnership with local communities, churches and organisations. 

Church and community transformation 

Tearfund's goal in Nigeria is to see 6 million people released from spiritual and material poverty by inspiring and mobilising 4,000 local churches. These churches will, in turn, mobilise their communities to take action and meet local needs in areas such as food production, water supply and sanitation, healthcare and education.

Sexual and gender-based violence

Tearfund aims to see reduced rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and works towards gender equality and increased access to quality health services to reduce morbidity and mortality.

We are providing trauma counselling and livelihood support for survivors of SGBV, and speaking out against SGBV in local communities. We also provide information about the harms of SGBV and how survivors can access support via health care centres and community-based organisations.

Peacebuilding

Improving conflict management and promoting trust and peace within and between communities is a key factor in eradicating poverty. Tearfund Nigeria has three major approaches toward peacebuilding. These are Train, Rehabilitate and EMpower (TREM), Freedom of Religion and Beliefs (FoRBs), and Social Cohesion initiatives.

We have set up 16 peacebuilding networks across the country, and we are working directly with 25 communities to support community peacebuilding activities such as football clubs, peace concerts, radio programmes and World Peace Day campaigns. We also facilitate interfaith discussions and community groups.

Disaster risk reduction

In North East Nigeria, Tearfund has been working with our local partner, CRUDAN, to provide emergency assistance to communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. This was done through cash grants to meet immediate food needs and training in climate-friendly farming so that people are equipped to grow their own crops for both food and income. 

Transforming plastic waste

Working with our local partner, Yola Renewal Foundation, the Trash to Cash project is setting up a social enterprise in Yola, northern Nigeria, to gather plastic waste and recycle it into saleable products, providing income and employment opportunities for young people from marginalised communities. The project is also engaging with local government and state institutions to advocate for more effective policies that reduce marine litter and create green and fair jobs.

The long-term objective of the project is to eliminate plastic waste dumped into rivers and watercourses, thus breaking the cycle of the negative impact of plastics on marine and human health and to turn it into economic benefits for people living in poverty.

Advocacy

We aim to positively influence attitudes and behaviours by sharing our vision of a just and sustainable world with our eight local partners and 600 churches across Nigeria.

Tearfund’s Global Advocacy team is also supporting partners and churches to mobilise young people and churches to bring about lifestyle and policy changes. For example, The Trash to Cash project is focused on turning plastic waste into economic opportunities for young people.

Partnerships and funding

Our current strategy is being implemented by eight partners, operating in 13 states in northern Nigeria where poverty rates are high.

Institutional donors

The Norwegian Government has funded the Norad Trash to Cash project which addresses environmental issues and provides job opportunities for young people, transforming plastic waste into new products.

The Government of The Netherlands has funded several projects in Nigeria including a seven-year intervention providing assistance and support to people affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. They are currently funding the JISRA project, which is focusing on Freedom of Religion and Beliefs (FoRBS).

The Cornerstone Trust is co-funding Tearfund’s peacebuilding work in Nigeria. 

John Templeton, in collaboration with USAID, funds a project focused on social cohesion, family planning, and interfaith collaboration.