The Federal Executive Council has approved a fresh national strategy designed to address poverty across Nigeria by bringing social protection and humanitarian relief under a single platform. The decision followed a memorandum presented to the council by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro.
According to a report by Punch, the initiative is titled the One Humanitarian One Poverty Response System, also known as OHOPRS. In an official statement released on Thursday, the humanitarian ministry explained that the programme serves as a major component of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to lift millions of vulnerable citizens out of hardship.
The ministry noted that past interventions suffered from fragmented operations, where social schemes and emergency relief worked independently. This separation led to duplicate projects, gaps in support, and challenges in moving affected persons from short-term relief to self-sufficiency.
Under the newly approved structure, families displaced by conflict or facing crisis will still get immediate food, healthcare, and shelter. However, they will also be tied directly to skills acquisition, schooling, and livelihood schemes to build lasting economic stability.
Dr Doro explained that for a long time, poverty reduction and emergency assistance existed as separate interventions. He noted that OHOPRS integrates both fields so that citizens receive emergency relief while following a clear path toward financial independence. The minister stated that success would be judged by the real changes in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians rather than the sheer volume of separate schemes rolled out.
The framework was initially drafted with input from international development partners during a technical workshop at the United Nations House in Abuja in March 2026. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and Dr Doro later introduced the blueprint publicly on August 26, 2026, at the State House Banquet Hall.
With the council’s formal endorsement, the humanitarian ministry confirmed it will partner with subnational authorities, state institutions, and external partners to roll out the framework across the country.
