UNFPA and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria began partnership and collaboration on population and development programmes in 1973. As a result, UNFPA has implemented eight country programmes between then and 2022, and it is currently  implementing the ninth country programme (2023-2027). The focus of the ninth country programme is to strengthen data systems, health systems, and humanitarian response, and to address discriminatory gender and social norms in target states.

UNFPA 9th Country Programme Priority Areas include: 

Population Change and data: UNFPA Nigeria supports the Nigerian government to strengthen its national capacity for data collection, data disaggregation, and the use of data for driving evidence-based decision-making. This commitment to enhancing Nigeria's data
infrastructure involves the provision of technical expertise, advanced census tools and data-driven approaches that generate disaggregated data, on significant and long-term global changes, that support the harnessing of demographic dividends, sustained national planning and improved healthcare outcomes.

Quality care and services: UNFPA Nigeria works with the government and stakeholders to reduce maternal mortality by improving health systems to deliver quality, accessible, affordable sexual and reproductive health services such as maternal health and emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmoNC), family planning services, fistula repairs, youth-friendly interventions, and other essential support required for guaranteeing universal access to health.

Humanitarian action: UNFPA Nigeria provides life-saving interventions, support and critical services for vulnerable populations in humanitarian contexts. We also collaborate with the government to enhance the capacity of key actors to respond and develop response systems that enable preparedness, early action and impact. These interventions are timely, conflict and climate-sensitive, gender-transformative, and peace-responsive in humanitarian settings.

Gender and social norms: UNFPA Nigeria works with government and partners to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and other harmful practices through the provision of multi-sectoral services, deepening of legal frameworks for strengthening prevention and response and the provision of quality survivor-centred services. We also enhance the skills of factors to ensure protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and in both development and humanitarian contexts.