Thailand donates $22,000 in rice aid to Nigeria – THISAGE

By Ayo Kehinde

Thailand has donated 12 tonnes of rice worth $22,000 to support vulnerable communities in Nigeria, as aid agencies warn that as many as 34.7 million Nigerians could face severe food insecurity this year.

The donation was presented to the World Food Program (WFP) in Abuja on Thursday by the Thai Ambassador to Nigeria, Thirapath Mongkolnavin, for distribution to vulnerable populations, particularly in the conflict-affected northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

According to the ambassador, the intervention is to support communities struggling with worsening hunger caused by insecurity, economic pressures and climate-related shocks.

“In response to this crisis, Thailand is pleased to contribute 12 tonnes of Thai rice valued at US$22,000 through WFP to support communities affected by food insecurity,” said Mongkolnavin.

He noted that the Royal Thai Government had previously provided $10,000 through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), to support humanitarian efforts in the northeast.

Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Olubunmi Olusanya, described the donation as a demonstration of international solidarity in tackling hunger and poverty.

The donation comes amid growing concern over Nigeria’s food security prospects. An estimated 34.7 million Nigerians could experience severe food insecurity during the lean season between June and August 2026, according to projections from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Analysts attribute the worsening situation to persistent insecurity in farming communities, farmer-herder conflicts, banditry, floods, drought and broader economic challenges that have disrupted agricultural production and food supply chains.

Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest rice-consuming nations, is estimated to consume around 7.6 million tonnes of rice per year but continues to face a production deficit of between two and three million tonnes each year.

The rice donation will be implemented by WFP in collaboration with the federal government and will go to newly arrived residents in IDP camps in northeast Nigeria.