FG Expands Social Protection Drive With HoPE-CT Engagement in Akwa Ibom_
The Federal Government has expanded its social protection drive in Akwa Ibom State through direct citizen feedback and plans for a structured pathway to self-reliance.
The expansion was announced during the HoPE-CT Beneficiary Engagement in Uyo, led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Doro said the engagement reflects government’s resolve to move beyond policy design and ensure interventions are validated in communities and experienced by real people.
“Since I assumed office, I have been guided by a firm conviction that interventions must not only be designed in offices, they must be validated in communities and experienced by real people,” he said.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry is developing a new flagship framework to link humanitarian support to retraining, skills acquisition, enterprise support, and access to finance. The goal is to move beneficiaries from one-off cash assistance to sustainable livelihoods.
“Lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty remains critical to long-term national development. If we exit millions out of poverty, that will be the basis for economic development,” Dr. Doro said.
On Akwa Ibom’s performance, he stated that 276,970 beneficiaries received support in the first tranche, 240,038 in the second, and 234,142 in the third. He noted that the variation reflects ongoing validation of National Identification Numbers, NINs, in the National Social Register.
“As more records are successfully validated, subsequent tranches will continue to progress in line with the programme’s transparency and verification processes,” he said. “These measures ensure only verified and eligible beneficiaries receive support while strengthening accountability.”
In a statement by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs Janet McDickson, he urged Nigerians to track programme updates via the National Cash Transfer Office platform, http://ncto.gov.ng.
The event drew beneficiaries, government officials, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, women groups, youth representatives, local government leaders, and the media for direct feedback on payment processes, access, and impact.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Rt. Hon. Princess Emem Ibanga, who represented Governor Umo Eno, commended the Minister for leading the engagement. She warned beneficiaries against paying to access government programmes and declared the session open
The National Programme Manager, National Conditional Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, FCN, thanked the State for its reception and asked beneficiaries to share challenges freely to improve implementation.
The Chairman of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Hon. Asuakak Umoh, delivered a goodwill message, reaffirming local government readiness to partner on social interventions.
The highlight was the Minister’s direct interaction with beneficiaries on payment issues, challenges, and impact on livelihoods. Participants described the session as open and timely.
The engagement reinforced the Federal Government’s resolve to combine support with empowerment and policy with measurable impact, as reforms link humanitarian assistance to sustainable economic opportunities.
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