Northeast Nigeria

Nigeria represents one of the United States’ most important relationships in Africa. Despite U.S. security sector and humanitarian assistance programs, 10 years of violent insurgency in northeast Nigeria have led to massive humanitarian needs for more than 7 million people, and the crisis shows no signs of abating. Ongoing restrictions by the government of Nigeria on humanitarian action threaten U.S. policy goals of improved humanitarian outcomes and a reduction in the presence of violent terrorist organizations.

In May 2020, the Humanitarian Agenda created a range of written and multimedia publications to unpack challenges for humanitarian actors, the role of the United States and other donor institutions in meeting humanitarian needs, and the effectiveness of the Nigerian government’s response. Jacob Kurtzer provides concrete recommendations for mitigating the civilian impact of the conflict in northeast Nigeria.

Out of Sight: Northeast Nigeria's Humanitarian Crisis

Ten years of violent insurgency in northeast Nigeria have led to massive humanitarian needs, and the crisis shows no signs of abating. This report from the CSIS Humanitarian Agenda analyzes the challenges and opportunities for generating better humanitarian outcomes.

Photo: FATI ABUBAKAR

Photo: FATI ABUBAKAR

Philanthropy & the Humanitarian Crisis in Northeast Nigeria

Nigeria’s philanthropists respond inconsistently to national crises. By examining the private sector’s robust Covid-19 pandemic intervention, this piece provides recommendations for a stronger multisectoral response to the humanitarian disaster in northeast Nigeria.

BOUREIMA HAMA AFP via Getty Images

BOUREIMA HAMA AFP via Getty Images

Conflict, Environmental Degradation, and Food Security in Northeast Nigeria

Conflict arising from the Boko Haram insurgency, paired with decades of environmental degradation, has made livelihoods in northeast Nigeria among the most precarious in Africa. Private and public sector actors must prioritize rural economic investments.

Photo: STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Conduct Is the Key: Improving Civilian Protection in Nigeria

With ongoing violence in northeast Nigeria, CSIS’s Melissa Dalton analyzes the role of the Nigerian security forces in achieving an effective protection of civilians strategy and the role of donor and U.S. security assistance in shaping this relationship.

Photo: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images

Nigeria's Garrison Towns

Violence from Boko Haram, the Islamic State of West Africa, and other groups in northeast Nigeria has led the Nigerian government to move civilian populations into easily safeguarded settings known as garrison towns. Jacob Kurtzer discusses growth trends within new settlements and the repercussions of these "super camps"

Nigeria's Garrison Towns