The Federal Government has launched a new national initiative, the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), aimed at lifting 50 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next five years.
The programme, unveiled in Abuja, aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle multidimensional poverty through a unified and coordinated national framework.
According to the financial blueprint for 2026–2030, the government plans to mobilise ₦16 trillion to drive the initiative. This includes contributions from:
- Federal Government – ₦1.5 trillion
- Development Partners – ₦800 billion
- Private Sector & Impact Finance – ₦600 billion
- Climate & Global Funds – ₦300 billion
Key international partners expected to support the programme include the World Bank, European Union, and the United Nations, among others.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, said the initiative is designed to fix long-standing inefficiencies in Nigeria’s poverty intervention system.
He noted that despite significant spending over the years, impact has remained limited due to poor coordination across ministries, departments, and agencies.
“We have been managing poverty, not ending it. Nigeria does not lack interventions; it lacks systems,” he said, stressing the need for a unified approach driven by real-time data and accountability.
To ensure effectiveness, the government plans to establish a National Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction Trust Fund, supported by innovative financing models such as climate funding, social impact bonds, and Islamic finance instruments.
The system will also feature:
- A National Steering Committee
- Independent audit mechanisms
- Results-based financing
- Real-time digital transparency
Representing the UN Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, via UNDP official Elsie Attafuah, described poverty in Nigeria as a humanitarian emergency.
He cited figures showing over 60% of Nigerians live in poverty, with millions facing food insecurity, calling for urgent, system-wide reforms.
Similarly, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran, emphasised the importance of accurate data and collaboration in addressing poverty effectively.
The OHOPRS framework seeks to integrate humanitarian aid, social protection, and long-term development into a single system. The goal is not only to provide immediate relief but also to create sustainable pathways out of poverty for millions of Nigerians.
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