The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system and creating a structured pathway for citizens to exit poverty.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, during a high-level beneficiary and stakeholder engagement under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme in Kwara State.
The engagement is part of an ongoing nationwide consultation across the six geopolitical zones. It aims to assess programme performance, gather feedback from beneficiaries, and ensure policies are shaped by real-time grassroots experiences.
Speaking at the event, the minister emphasized that direct interaction with beneficiaries is critical to effective governance. He noted that policies must reflect the lived realities of citizens, especially those benefiting from social protection initiatives.
“I needed to come down myself—to see, to hear, and to understand what is working and what must change,” he said, stressing that firsthand engagement offers insights beyond official reports.
Dr. Doro described the HoPE-CT Programme as more than a cash disbursement initiative. He said it is designed as a strategic intervention to support vulnerable households while laying the foundation for long-term economic empowerment.
According to him, government interventions must go beyond financial support to deliver measurable improvements in livelihoods and promote self-reliance.
The minister also outlined the Ministry’s evolving policy direction under the “One Humanitarian – One Poverty Response System.” He explained that the framework seeks to eliminate fragmentation in service delivery and ensure interventions are coordinated, data-driven, and results-oriented.
He added that the system is structured to guide beneficiaries from vulnerability to resilience and ultimately to sustainable economic independence.
Addressing concerns about beneficiary figures, Dr. Doro clarified that variations across programme phases are largely due to validation processes, including the use of the National Identification Number (NIN). He noted that these should not be interpreted as entirely separate populations.
He assured participants that feedback from the engagement would be documented and integrated into ongoing programme improvements.
The minister further disclosed that the next phase of implementation would strengthen linkages between cash transfers and complementary initiatives such as skills acquisition, livelihood development, and cooperative support systems.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to working with state governments, development partners, and community stakeholders to ensure effective and transparent delivery of social protection programmes.
In her remarks, the Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, Dr. Mariam Nnafatima Imam, commended the Federal Government for sustaining the HoPE-CT Programme in the state.
She described the initiative as a critical intervention that has improved the welfare of vulnerable households and enhanced social inclusion.
Dr. Imam also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Federal Ministry to expand programme reach and improve delivery efficiency.
Other speakers, including the Acting General Manager of the Kwara State Social Investment Programme, Dr. Abdulwasiu Tejidini, and the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, praised the Federal Government’s efforts in advancing social protection systems.
They noted that the programme has provided financial relief, restored dignity, and strengthened community resilience, while calling for its expansion to reach more Nigerians.
A key highlight of the event was an interactive session where beneficiaries shared personal experiences on the impact of the programme.
One beneficiary, Abubakar Olayinka from Ilorin South Local Government Area, said he used the support to establish a small-scale pure water business, which now serves as a steady source of income.
Another beneficiary recounted how the assistance enabled her to purchase medication for her ailing father, describing the intervention as timely and life-saving.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, the Chairman of the House Committee on Social Development, Hon. Olushola Odetundun, development partners, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other government officials.
As the nationwide engagement continues, the ministry said it remains focused on building a unified, responsive, and results-driven social protection system that supports vulnerable populations and promotes long-term economic stability.
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