Poverty Eradication: Doro Urges Nigerians to Protect Vulnerable Citizens, Strengthen Social Protection
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro, has called on Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable citizens and expand sustainable economic opportunities, declaring that poverty reduction is essential to building a peaceful and secure society.
Doro made the call during Nigeria’s commemoration of the 2026 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on Saturday, October 17. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction disclosed this in a press release signed by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Janet McDickson Noah.
The event was held under the theme, “United for Peace and Human Rights: Safe Homes for All,” with the minister urging stakeholders to accelerate progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 on ending poverty and Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
Doro noted that with only four years remaining to the 2030 SDGs deadline, Nigeria must critically assess its progress and strengthen interventions aimed at lifting citizens out of poverty.
“Let’s ask ourselves honestly how far we have gone and what more to be done,” he said.
The minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was driving poverty-reduction efforts through the ministry’s One Humanitarian, One Poverty Reduction Strategy (OHOPRS), which adopts a multidimensional approach involving government institutions, development partners, the private sector and other stakeholders.
He stressed that poverty reduction must go beyond emergency assistance to create lasting opportunities for vulnerable households to achieve economic independence.
“Our task in the ministry is twofold: to protect Nigerians who are vulnerable today; and to open pathways that make them resilient and economically independent tomorrow,” Doro said.
He explained that while palliatives could help families survive immediate crises, sustainable pathways were necessary to prevent them from becoming permanently dependent on relief assistance.
“While palliative ensures that a family survives a crisis, pathways ensure that a family doesn’t need palliative again,” he stated.
HOPE-SP Targets Sustainable Household Prosperity
Doro identified the Household Prosperity and Economic Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP) as a key component of the government’s strategy to transition from relief-oriented interventions to sustainable recovery, empowerment and self-reliance.
According to him, OHOPRS brings humanitarian response, social protection, poverty reduction, economic inclusion and graduation programmes under a unified national framework centred on households.
He said the approach places families, particularly mothers and children, at the heart of government interventions and measures success by their ability to withstand economic shocks and achieve lasting improvements in their living conditions.
The minister added that the strategy was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system and improve the resilience of poor and vulnerable citizens.
Permanent Secretary Seeks Wider Collaboration
In his welcome address, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, emphasised that poverty eradication required sustained cooperation beyond government institutions.
Olusanya commended the commitment demonstrated through the ministry’s initiatives and appreciated stakeholders supporting the national poverty-reduction agenda.
He called for greater collaboration among government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, civil society organisations and other relevant actors, stressing that collective action was necessary to achieve meaningful and lasting results.
Representatives of the European Union, African AIDS International, the World Food Programme, the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Fidelity Bank Plc, among other stakeholders, delivered goodwill messages and pledged continued support for poverty reduction and the promotion of a safer and more peaceful Nigeria.
The event also featured the presentation of palliatives to some vulnerable members of society as part of efforts to provide immediate relief to those in need.
