Nigeria’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has announced that the National Social Register (NSR), now integrated with the National Identification Number (NIN), has captured 19.8 million households representing over 90 million Nigerians — marking a major milestone in the nation’s social protection drive.
According to the Ministry, the integration with NIN aims to deepen transparency, inclusion, and digital access, forming the backbone of the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to tackle multi-dimensional poverty through data-driven interventions.
The announcement coincides with the official assumption of office by Dr. Bernard M. Doro as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, following his appointment and inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Dr. Doro succeeds Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who has been appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the Ministry, the integration aims to deepen transparency, inclusion, and digital access, forming the backbone of the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to tackle multi-dimensional poverty through data-driven interventions.
Minister: ‘We must make hope a reality’
In his maiden address, Dr. Doro expressed gratitude for the warm reception by the Ministry’s leadership and staff, describing the environment as “a family” and pledging to sustain its positive culture while driving reforms to improve public service delivery.
“It feels like a family. I want to understudy the culture here and be part of it. The positive aspects of our culture will be maintained, and where we need to adjust, we will challenge ourselves to do better,” he said.
The new Minister underscored teamwork, trust, and shared accountability as essential ingredients for success in delivering social protection mandates.
“A successful team is not just people working together but people who truly trust one another,” he said, describing his predecessor as “a friend, a mentor, and indeed, a big shoe to fill.”
Dr. Doro pledged to leverage staff experience, technical expertise, and institutional memory to build on the Ministry’s achievements.
Outlining his vision, he said: “It is our job, as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to help people move up from where they are to enable them to achieve social mobility. We will do this by working together, collaborating, partnering, and ensuring accountability to one another. We want to make hope a reality for the Nigerians we serve.”
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, congratulated Dr. Doro, describing him as “a close friend and capable leader whose expertise will enrich the humanitarian and social protection landscape.”
Dr. Sununu praised Professor Yilwatda’s leadership, humility, and teamwork, which he said earned him the confidence of President Tinubu to lead the APC.
He also outlined key achievements of the Ministry, including:
- Expansion of the National Social Register, now the largest social database in Africa;
- Integration of the NSR with NIN to enhance transparency and inclusion;
- Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) reaching over 8.8 million Nigerians, with new disbursements to be publicly announced;
- Launch of the Skill to Wealth Initiative, providing youth with vocational training in automobile maintenance, computer diagnostics, solar technology, and agriculture;
- Introduction of the National Policy on Cash Transfer, ensuring financial assistance is delivered with dignity;
- Strengthened international partnerships for humanitarian and social intervention programmes; and
- Ongoing repatriation of Nigerians and establishment of the Renewed Hope Resettlement City in Nasarawa State, commissioned by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, welcomed the new Minister and reaffirmed the loyalty and commitment of staff to the implementation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He commended the dedication of directors, agency heads, and programme managers, noting that the Ministry’s work directly impacts the lives of millions of vulnerable Nigerians daily.
“We are fully aligned with the vision of the President and the leadership of the Honourable Ministers to expand the reach of humanitarian and poverty reduction programmes through innovation, data, and partnership,” Dr. Kofarmata said.
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