Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening social protection delivery across Nigeria as the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro led a high-level delegation to Ondo State for the HoPE-CT Beneficiary Engagement under the National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up (NASSP-SU)
This was contained in a statement signed by Janet McDickson Noah, Director, Information, and Public Relations.
Delivering his keynote address, the Honourable Minister emphasized the need for government interventions to go beyond policy formulation to real impact at the grassroots.
In his words, “it is not enough to design policies from afar; we must come to the communities, listen to the people, and ensure that what we are doing is truly making a difference in their lives.”
He further stressed that, the Ministry is working towards a more coordinated and impactful system of intervention, noting that “our goal is to move from fragmented support to a more structured approach that creates real pathways out of poverty and restores dignity to households.”
The Honourable Minister disclosed that under the HoPE-CT Programme in Ondo State, 173,424 beneficiaries were supported in the first tranche, 110,446 in the second tranche, and 107,704 in the third tranche, representing a total of 780,408 individuals impacted across the State when household size is considered. He explained that the variation in figures reflects the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) validation process in the National Social Register, which ensures transparency, accountability, and accuracy in programme implementation.
He also reiterated that the programme is entirely free and cautioned beneficiaries against any form of extortion, urging them to report irregularities through the designated grievance redress channels, including the toll-free line 969 available on MTN.
In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya highlighted the importance of direct engagement in strengthening programme effectiveness.
According to him, “this engagement provides us the opportunity to listen directly to beneficiaries, understand their experiences, and ensure that the programme continues to evolve in a way that is transparent, inclusive, and impactful.”
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the Ondo State Government, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Yemi Perisola described the HoPE-CT Programme as a transformative initiative that directly impacts vulnerable households.
She noted that “this programme is not just about financial support; it is about restoring confidence in governance and ensuring that vulnerable households are given the opportunity to rebuild and improve their livelihoods through a transparent and accountable system.”
A major highlight of the engagement was the interactive session between the Honourable Minister and beneficiaries. In a candid and inclusive dialogue, beneficiaries shared their experiences, challenges, and the impact of the programme on their livelihoods while also engaging the Minister directly with questions.
The session reflected strong grassroots participation, with some beneficiaries communicating in their local dialects, supported by community leaders, including a village head who assisted with interpretation. This ensured that all voices were heard, fostering trust and strengthening the connection between government and citizens.
Participants described the engagement as impactful and timely, noting that it demonstrated a government that is not only delivering interventions but also actively listening to the people and responding to their needs.
The Ondo State engagement further underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to a people-centered approach to governance—one that combines compassion with accountability and policy with measurable impact.
In attendance were the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya; the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Professor Badamasi Lawal; the National Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Alhaji Abdullahi Alhassan Imam; the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Special Adviser on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Princess Kikelomo Ikuomola; the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Yemi Perisola; other state government officials, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders.
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