By Amina Haladu
The Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has called on the Senate Majority Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, to sponsor a bill establishing a National Humanitarian Emergency Fund to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and rapid response to crises.
The AHBN team, led by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba and Hon. Mohammed Usman, made the call during an advocacy visit to the Senator Monguno in his office at the National Assembly.
During the visit, the team presented the urgent need for a structured and sustainable emergency financing mechanism.
Responding, Senator Monguno agreed to support the initiative and expressed readiness to sponsor the proposed legislation.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that the proposal is in line with the communique of the maiden National Council Meeting on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, held between January on 27th–29th, 2026 in Calabar, Cross River State.
During the summit, an emphasise was made for sustainable financing for emergency response.
In its presentation, the AHBN team made reference to the recent fire outbreaks in Kano State and other states, flooding across many states in the country, insecurity, and other humanitarian emergencies nationwide that have highlighted persistent funding gaps.
“Establishing the Fund would institutionalize predictable financing for disaster risks and rapid response, strengthen national resilience and surveillance, and improve the timeliness and coordination of humanitarian response.
“Funds can be deployed to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and coordinated by the Federal and State Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction/Alleviation.”
