Nigerians Value Humanitarian Workers, Says Doro. Reaffirms FG’s Commitment to Vulnerable Citizens
Oru Leonard
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has assured humanitarian workers across Nigeria that their services are valued and appreciated by Nigerians, urging them to remain committed to serving vulnerable populations.
Doro gave the assurance while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 World Humanitarian Day commemoration organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in collaboration with Nigeria Humanitarian Action (NIHA) at the Abuja Continental Hotel on Wednesday.
The event was held under the theme, “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.”
The Minister said every vulnerable Nigerian should be assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands with them through its Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the Ministry was committed to building a humanitarian coordination system that is nationally driven, professionally managed, locally responsive and financially sustainable.
According to him, achieving this objective requires seamless collaboration among the Federal, State and Local Governments, development partners, civil society organisations, academia, faith-based organisations and the private sector.
Doro highlighted the Ministry’s One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), as a key national coordination framework designed to reduce duplication, strengthen institutional collaboration, promote data-driven decision-making and integrate humanitarian assistance with recovery, resilience, social protection and poverty reduction.
He also called for greater investment in the welfare, professional development, remuneration and incentives of humanitarian personnel, stressing that a motivated workforce remains critical to an effective humanitarian response system.
The Minister said the theme of this year’s commemoration should be viewed as an instruction rather than merely a slogan.
He explained that while global solidarity remains important, it must be complemented by strong local communities capable of building resilience and sustaining development after humanitarian crises.
“Our task as a nation is to hold both together, to receive the world’s partnership with gratitude while building communities strong enough to stand on their own,” he said.
Doro appreciated the United Nations system, development partners, donors, governments and humanitarian organisations for their continued support to Nigeria. 
He said the transition from a predominantly UN-coordinated humanitarian architecture to a government-led coordination system represented a strategic investment in Nigeria’s resilience, sovereignty and long-term sustainability.
He further called for accelerated implementation of the National Humanitarian Poverty Reduction Trust Fund, saying it would help secure sustainable domestic financing for humanitarian interventions.
The Minister advocated stronger domestic investment through predictable budgetary allocations, innovative financing mechanisms, increased private-sector participation, philanthropic contributions and stronger partnerships with state governments.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, recalled the origin of World Humanitarian Day, noting that the commemoration was established in memory of humanitarian workers who lost their lives in the August 19, 2003 bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.
He said the attack claimed 22 lives, including the UN Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, adding that the United Nations General Assembly subsequently designated August 19 as World Humanitarian Day, with the first global observance held in 2009.
Olusanya said the Ministry remained committed to strengthening the link between humanitarian action, poverty reduction, social protection and sustainable development, while ensuring that affected populations remained at the centre of interventions.
Also speaking, the Board Chairman of Nigeria Humanitarian Action, Engr. Morgan Okwoche, appreciated the Ministry for its partnership and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance humanitarian services in Nigeria.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Federal Commissioner, Nigerian Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Mr. Aliyu Tijani; representatives of the National Population Commission, Nigeria Police Force and Zamfara State Government.
Representatives of the international NGO community, including Country Director, International NGOs, Mr. Ndubuisi Anyanwu, as well as representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, also delivered goodwill messages.
The celebration featured musical performances by OG Abbah Mohammed Abubakar, an internally displaced persons (IDPs) star artiste, alongside other cultural performances by IDPs.
The event underscored the Federal Government’s renewed emphasis on strengthening national ownership of humanitarian coordination while ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians receive timely, effective and sustainable assistance.
Cover Photo Caption: Middle in the group seated is the honourable minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. Dr. Bernard M Doro, to his left is permanent secretary, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya and to his right hand is, the federal Commissioner, National Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons. Mr. Aliyu Tijani at the event in Abuja.
