FG Pushes Community-Driven Cash Transfer Reforms as Minister Meets Beneficiaries in Akwa Ibom
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has intensified its social protection efforts with a renewed focus on community-driven validation and sustainable poverty reduction, as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, engaged beneficiaries of the HoPE-CT programme in Akwa Ibom State.
At a stakeholder engagement held in Uyo on Saturday, the Minister said the government is shifting from policy formulation to real-life impact, ensuring that interventions are not only designed at the federal level but also validated by the people they are meant to serve.
“Interventions must not only be designed in offices; they must be validated in communities and experienced by real people,” Doro stated, noting that the administration remains committed to creating long-term pathways out of poverty.
He revealed that the Ministry is developing a new framework to transform humanitarian assistance into a structured system that promotes self-reliance through skills acquisition, enterprise support, retraining, and access to finance.
Highlighting the programme’s reach in Akwa Ibom, the Minister disclosed that 276,970 beneficiaries were captured in the first tranche, followed by 240,038 in the second and 234,142 in the third. He explained that the differences reflect ongoing verification of National Identification Numbers (NINs) to ensure transparency and accountability.
Doro emphasized that the verification process is critical to ensuring only eligible Nigerians benefit from the programme, while encouraging citizens to monitor updates through the National Cash Transfer Office portal.
Representing Governor Umo Eno, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Rt. Hon. Princess Emem Ibanga, commended the Minister for engaging directly with beneficiaries, describing the move as a demonstration of responsive leadership. She also warned against fraudulent practices, stressing that beneficiaries should not pay to access government support.
The National Programme Manager of the National Conditional Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, urged participants to openly share their experiences, assuring them that feedback would be used to improve programme delivery.
Stakeholders, including local government officials and community leaders, welcomed the initiative and pledged continued collaboration to strengthen implementation at the grassroots level.
A key highlight of the event was the Minister’s direct interaction with beneficiaries, who shared their experiences, challenges, and the impact of the cash transfers on their livelihoods.
The engagement fostered openness and trust, with participants describing it as both timely and impactful.
In a statement issued after the event, Director of Information and Public Relations, Janet McDickson, said the engagement underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive governance, where citizens’ voices shape policy execution.
She noted that the HoPE-CT model is expected to play a critical role in restoring dignity, improving household resilience, and driving inclusive development across Nigeria.
The engagement concluded with renewed commitments from federal, state, and local stakeholders to deepen collaboration in delivering effective humanitarian support and sustainable poverty reduction programmes.
