Humanitarian Xchange Abuja 2026: Strengthening Local Voices, Partnerships, and Innovation in Humanitarian Response

In the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, this July 8-9, 2026, HX will host development and humanitarian actors, representatives from community led organisations across Nigeria, government, civil society, private sector, academia and stakeholders involved in various humanitarian responses across Nigeria.

Pawel Mania, Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy said: 

This HX is important and is occurring at a unique time in our sector – a time when the world is actively focused on shifting towards more localised responses, recognising the power communities hold and should hold. This HX will bring those conversations to the fore and hopefully take many steps into action in Africa’s most populous nation and beyond. 

The agenda for the two-day conference largely reflects the challenges several humanitarians in Nigeria are grappling with. Humanitarians who will attend HX to reflect as a group, share best practices and frame partnerships for more innovative ways of working together.

Duncan Harvey, Country Director of Save the Children International Nigeria said:

 “Humanitarian Xchange Abuja 2026 comes at a critical moment for Nigeria, where the scale and complexity of needs demand more inclusive and locally led responses. At Save the Children, we believe communities closest to crises must be at the centre of decision-making and action. HX provides a vital platform to elevate local voices, strengthen partnerships, and accelerate innovation across the humanitarian sector. As resources tighten and challenges grow, our collective ability to collaborate and invest in national and community leadership will determine the impact we achieve. This is not just a forum for dialogue, but a call to action to build a more responsive, accountable, and locally driven humanitarian system in Nigeria and beyond.”

Key conversations over the two days will consider strategic topics including: Nigeria's Crisis as a Catalyst for Humanitarian Innovation; Funding Constraints and Competition in Nigeria’s Humanitarian Response; The Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus in Nigeria; and what Strengthening Local Voices and Leadership looks like in the Nigerian humanitarian sector. 

Pawel added, 

“We are grateful to be hosting this series of conversations alongside Save the Children Nigeria and several community organisations, national and international partners who have shaped the conference agenda."

HX Abuja will engage youth, women-led organisations, climate, public health, crisis-related and refugee-focused organisations, drawing from real-life experiences and meaningful knowledge sharing. 

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_{About HX
The Humanitarian Xchange (HX) is a dynamic initiative designed to create a collaborative space for knowledge-sharing, peer learning, and cross-sectoral dialogue among humanitarian practitioners, local responders, donors, and researchers.}

_{About Humanitarian Leadership Academy
The Humanitarian Leadership Academy (HLA) is a team within Save the Children UK with a mission to accelerate the movement for locally led humanitarian action. By supporting local and national humanitarian leaders and providing meaningful convening spaces, HLA reimagines how response happens and how those delivering it are best supported.}

_{About Save the Children Nigeria
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children, delivering lasting change for millions of children, including in Nigeria, since 2001. Save the Children works in health, nutrition, education, child protection, social protection, humanitarian response, and child rights governance.}

_{For media enquiries, please contact
Mogbonjubade Adesulure mogbonjubade.adesulure@savethechildren.org 
Nwabundo Okoh n.okoh@savethechildren.org.uk}