FG Intensifies Poverty Exit Strategy as Doro Engages Beneficiaries in Kwara
By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system, with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard M. Doro, reaffirming a renewed focus on structured pathways to lift vulnerable citizens out of poverty.
Doro made this known during a high-level beneficiary and stakeholder engagement under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme in Kwara State, where he interacted directly with beneficiaries and assessed the impact of ongoing interventions.
According to a press release issued by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and signed by Janet McDickson Noah, Director of Information and Public Relations, the engagement forms part of a nationwide exercise to evaluate programme performance and gather real-time feedback from grassroots beneficiaries.
Addressing participants, the minister stressed the importance of direct engagement in shaping responsive governance.
“I needed to come down myself—to see, to hear, and to understand what is working and what must change,” Doro said.
He emphasized that the HoPE-CT initiative goes beyond cash disbursement, describing it as a strategic tool for long-term empowerment.
“Government support must not end at disbursement; it must translate into measurable progress, improved livelihoods, and ultimately, self-reliance,” he added.
Doro also highlighted the Ministry’s “One Humanitarian – One Poverty Response System,” designed to eliminate fragmentation and ensure coordinated, data-driven interventions that guide beneficiaries from vulnerability to economic independence.
The minister assured participants that feedback gathered during the engagement would be integrated into policy refinements.
“These engagements are critical to ensuring our programmes remain responsive, accountable, and impactful,” he noted.
In her remarks, Mariam Nnafatima Imam, Kwara State Commissioner for Social Development, commended the Federal Government’s commitment, describing the programme as a vital intervention that has improved livelihoods and strengthened social inclusion.
Other stakeholders, including Abdulwasiu Olayinka Tejidini and Bolanle Olukoju, applauded the initiative, noting that it has restored dignity and boosted resilience among vulnerable households.
Beneficiaries also shared testimonials, highlighting the programme’s impact. One participant, Abubakar Olayinka, said the support enabled him to start a small-scale water business, providing steady income for his family.
“This intervention has changed my life. I appeal to the government to sustain and expand it,” he said.
Another beneficiary recounted how the funds helped secure life-saving medication for her father, underscoring the programme’s immediate and critical impact.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships with state governments and development partners to expand the reach of social protection programmes and ensure sustainable economic outcomes for Nigerians.
