The African Development Bank (AfDB) has expressed support for the reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (FMHAPR), aimed at tackling multidimensional poverty, addressing humanitarian challenges, and improving social protection delivery across Nigeria.
The commitment was made during a meeting between the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, and an AfDB delegation that visited the Ministry in Abuja.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Doro called on the Bank to support the Ministry’s efforts to address the growing challenges of poverty, humanitarian crises, and the increasing number of at-risk and out-of-school children in the country.
The Minister outlined the Ministry’s comprehensive reform agenda, including the proposed “One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System,” which seeks to improve coordination, eliminate duplication of interventions, strengthen data management, and enhance service delivery to vulnerable populations.
He also highlighted plans to establish a National Poverty Data Lab, strengthen the National Social Register, develop a unified beneficiary management system, and implement a Poverty Graduation Pathway to promote sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing the Ministry’s mandate of lifting Nigerians out of poverty and providing social protection for vulnerable groups. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with development partners to deliver impactful programmes.
Responding on behalf of the AfDB, the leader of the delegation and Operations Support Manager of the Bank commended the Ministry’s reform initiatives, particularly its focus on governance, data-driven interventions, and beneficiary tracking systems.
The Bank described the proposals as transformative and aligned with its development objectives, expressing readiness to review the Ministry’s proposals and explore areas of support through financing and technical assistance mechanisms.
The AfDB delegation also provided updates on its ongoing interventions in Nigeria, including support for at-risk children and social protection programmes.
The meeting was attended by directors of the Ministry and aides to the Honourable Minister, underscoring the significance of the engagement and the growing collaboration between the Federal Government and development partners in addressing poverty and humanitarian challenges.
