The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a generous donation of 69 metric tons of dates to vulnerable populations in Nigeria through the United Nations World Food Programme.
This donation was formally handed over in Abuja on Monday, September 29, 2025. According to the WFP Country Director, David Stevenson, the dates will directly benefit approximately 170,000 people in 34,000 households, with each household receiving 2 kilograms of dates.
This donation is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian efforts, aligning with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all. The Chargé D’Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Saad Fahad Almarri, stated that the donation represents their shared commitment to providing necessary assistance, relief, and food security worldwide, especially in Nigeria’s North East region.
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, described the donation as a symbol of compassion, partnership, and shared humanity. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships and improving coordination to ensure effective integration of interventions into broader strategies for resilience and stability.
The WFP plans to distribute the dates to Internally Displaced Person camps across Borno State, specifically in Damasak, Mafa, Dikwa, and Damboa. This effort is expected to reach close to 1.5 million vulnerable populations in Northern Nigeria, helping them address their most urgent food and nutrition needs.
The donation is part of Saudi Arabia’s significant humanitarian contributions globally, with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre having executed 3,690 projects in 108 countries at a cost of about $8.1 billion. These projects include food security, health, humanitarian and emergency relief, education, early recovery, and charitable assistance.
The people of Nigeria appreciate this generous donation, which will go a long way in supporting those in need. As David Stevenson noted, this donation will make a significant difference in the lives of many Nigerians.
The Saudi donation is a testament to the country’s commitment to humanitarian causes worldwide. With this donation, Nigeria joins the list of countries benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s generosity.
