Danjuma Amodu [ January 9, 2026
On January 7, 2026, President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum ordering the United States to immediately withdraw from 66 international organizations, 31 of them United Nations entities, declaring them “wasteful, ineffective, or harmful” to U.S. national interests. The move, announced Wednesday, comes after a year-long review under Executive Order 14199 and signals a dramatic retreat from multilateralism just as the world grapples with climate emergencies, economic inequality, and security crises.
Among the bodies abandoned; the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the foundational treaty for global climate action; the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); the UN Population Fund (UNFPA); UN Women; and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Also gone: the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Freedom Online Coalition, Global Counterterrorism Forum and dozens more focused on climate, environment, democracy, and regional cooperation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, saying many of these institutions push “radical climate policies, global governance, and ideological programs that conflict with U.S. sovereignty and economic strength.” The administration insists continued involvement squanders taxpayer dollars without delivering results.
But the fallout is immediate and Nigeria is feeling it and it may affect her implementation of various programmes if alternative means is not device to cushion the gap of U.S pullout.
NIGERIA FACES COMPOUND CHALLENGES AFTER U.S. PULLOUT
Nigeria’s ties to the UN system run deep. UNECA provides technical assistance for economic planning, debt sustainability analysis, AfCFTA implementation, and infrastructure development, all critical to Nigeria’s growth agenda. UNFPA and UN Women fund maternal health, reproductive rights, and gender equality programs that reach millions across the country. Now, those resources face cuts or redirection.
About 7.2 million Nigerians rely on UN-coordinated aid programs funded partly by the U.S., including maternal health services, disease surveillance, and emergency response. Without U.S. contributions, these programs face immediate funding gaps and possible service cuts.
Nigeria’s climate finance landscape is already precarious – only USD 2.5 billion flows annually against an estimated need of USD 27.2 billion. Losing UNFCCC-backed technical support and GCF financing could stall progress on solar energy expansion, flood mitigation infrastructure, adaptation in agriculture and water sectors, green bond development, and debt-for-climate swaps (www.climatepolicyinitiative.org).
Mohammed Adow of Power Shift Africa warned that abandoning international climate frameworks risks isolating Nigeria further in global green transitions. Simon Stiell added that the move could cost jobs and raise costs for households and businesses as climate disasters worsen.
*HOW THE UNFCCC WITHDRAWAL HITS HOME*
The United States contributed roughly 22% of the UNFCCC’s core budget, one of its biggest financial backers. With that money gone, the secretariat faces a serious funding gap, which could delay climate summits (COPs), slow down technical assistance programs, and reduce support for vulnerable countries like Nigeria as contained in (carbonbrief.com)
The U.S. also quit the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which is the world’s largest climate fund and gave up its board seat. That means Nigeria loses a key source of grants and concessional loans for projects like solar mini-grids, flood resilience, and climate-smart agriculture. The GCF has already financed dozens of Nigerian initiatives without U.S. input, future approvals may stall or shrink (www.nationalnews.org)
As the second-largest emitter, the U.S. was required to report national emissions under the UNFCCC. Without those reports, global greenhouse gas tracking becomes incomplete, making it harder to measure progress and hold big polluters accountable. Nigeria relies on accurate global data to shape its own climate policies and access international support.
The exit sends a strong signal that the U.S. is stepping back from global climate leadership. This emboldens other reluctant nations and weakens pressure on big emitters. For Nigeria, it means fewer diplomatic allies pushing for climate justice and more competition for shrinking international funds.
*GLOBAL REACTION: REGRET, OUTRAGE, AND OPPORTUNITY*
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed regret, emphasizing that the UN has a “responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us.” He reminded member states that assessed contributions to the UN budget remain legally binding obligations, even for the United States. Nevertheless, UN entities pledged to continue their mandates despite the U.S. exit.
Environmental groups condemned the withdrawal as “self-sabotage,” warning it isolates the U.S. on climate issues and undermines global cooperation. European officials called the move “regrettable,” while analysts predicted China may fill the leadership vacuum left behind.
*NIGERIA’S NEXT MOVE*
So far, Nigerian officials haven’t issued a formal statement, but analysts urge the government to quickly identify alternative funding partners, possibly through the African Union, EU, or emerging donors like China and accelerate domestic resource mobilization.
Nigeria’s climate adaptation projects, already under strain from floods, desertification, and food insecurity, lose access to expertise from bodies like UNFCCC and IPCC. Experts warn this could delay green investments and disaster preparedness.
