Doro Launches Mobile One-Stop Shop, Hands Over 10 Vehicles to States, Appreciates Germany’s Support
Oru Leonard
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has launched a Mobile One-Stop Shop initiative and handed over 10 specially equipped vehicles to participating state governments to improve access to essential services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable Nigerians.
Doro performed the launch and formal handover on Wednesday at the United Nations House, Abuja, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with support from the Government of Germany.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is excluded from essential government services because of their location or circumstances, particularly those displaced by conflict and other humanitarian challenges.
He described the initiative as a practical intervention aimed at taking government services closer to underserved populations, especially those facing difficulties accessing public institutions.
According to him, the mobile facilities will provide services including birth registration, National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment, SIM registration, Bank Verification Number (BVN), bank account opening and enrolment into the National Social Register.
Doro explained that the initiative aligns with the Ministry’s One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System, which seeks to move vulnerable Nigerians from dependence on palliatives to sustainable pathways through identity documentation, financial inclusion and social protection opportunities.
He said identity documentation remains fundamental to economic and social inclusion, stressing that individuals without proper identification are often excluded from government interventions and other essential opportunities.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Germany, through its Embassy in Nigeria, for providing the support that made the procurement of the 10 vehicles possible.
He described Germany’s intervention as a demonstration of international solidarity and a significant contribution to improving humanitarian service delivery in Nigeria.
Doro also commended UNHCR for its continued support for displaced persons and vulnerable communities, urging the 10 beneficiary states to ensure proper maintenance, security and effective deployment of the vehicles to reach remote settlements, displaced communities and vulnerable households.
He expressed optimism that the programme would be expanded beyond the initial 10 states to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, described the initiative as an important step towards addressing the difficulties faced by internally displaced persons and vulnerable populations in accessing civil documentation, identity-related services and other essential public interventions.
Olusanya acknowledged the contributions of UNHCR and the German Government, urging the participating states to ensure effective utilisation and maintenance of the vehicles.
In his remarks, the German Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Stefan Rößel, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to its partnership with Nigeria, particularly in supporting humanitarian interventions and initiatives that improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations.
Similarly, the Interim United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Ms. Vanessa Pala, emphasised the need for sustained collaboration between the Federal Government, UN agencies and development partners to ensure that displaced persons and vulnerable communities are not left behind.
She highlighted the importance of coordinated service delivery in expanding access to identity documentation, financial inclusion and social protection.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the formal presentation of vehicle keys by the German Ambassador to Minister Doro, who subsequently handed them over to the participating state governments through the Dean of the Forum of Commissioners of Humanitarian Affairs of the 36 states and the FCT, Dr. Helen Isamoh, who is also the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs.
In her remarks, Isamoh expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, UNHCR and the German Government for the intervention, describing it as a significant boost to humanitarian service delivery at the state level.
She expressed hope that the initiative would eventually be extended to all 36 states and the FCT to enable more displaced persons and vulnerable Nigerians to benefit.
The initiative is expected to reduce barriers to essential documentation, strengthen financial inclusion and improve access to social protection programmes among underserved communities.
The ceremony was attended by the UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Arjun Jain; commissioners of humanitarian affairs from participating states; directors and representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies; heads of UN agencies; development partners and other stakeholders.
