In 2015, Boko Haram fighters attacked Ngarannam in Borno State, attacking and killing civilians.
In October 2022, Ngarannam was reopened. The Government of Nigeria, working with the Borno State Government, and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), reconstructed the village, allowing hundreds of residents to return after years of hardship.
Reconstruction strategies centred on inclusion and empowerment of community members as well as the security needs of residents. The town’s design is based on the results of interviews conducted by Nigerian architect Tosin Oshinowo, who consulted with residents to ensure Ngarannam reflects the needs and culture of its community.
Ngarannam is within the Lake Chad Basin, a region suffering acutely from climate breakdown. To help mitigate climate-induced risks, the town was rebuilt to incorporate energy efficiency strategies, ensuring houses have energy-efficient stoves, and solar-powered streetlights illuminate dark areas.
Many women in Ngarannam are single or widowed mothers who are the sole income providers for their families. The programme allocated 20% of the homes built to single and widowed women-led households.
Women in Ngarannam support their families as business owners and farmers, and participate in the stabilisation steering committee, which is responsible for fostering community dialogue and unity. While there is still work to be done, hundreds of residents have been able to return to their homes and start rebuilding their lives thanks to the joint work of the Government of Nigeria and Coalition partners working through the UNDP.
