Ned Nwoko Calls for Replacement of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the National Assembly, has called on President Bola Tinubu to replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with a National Social Security Agency.

In an open letter titled “Reimagining Nigeria’s Social Safety Net: A Call to Replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with a National Social Security Agency Under the Office of the President,” Nwoko argued that this new agency, operating directly under the Office of the President, would better protect the rights and dignity of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

Nwoko criticized the current Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, stating that while it may have good intentions, it has failed to tackle the root causes of poverty and instead perpetuates a cycle of dependency. He suggested that establishing a National Social Security Agency would align Nigeria with global standards and provide a more effective and sustainable approach to addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges.

He emphasized that social security should be viewed as a fundamental right rather than an act of charity and that the proposed agency would empower citizens instead of treating them as dependents.

Nwoko underscored the urgent need to address widespread poverty and societal decay in Nigeria, urging President Tinubu to rethink the current social welfare strategy and consider creating the National Social Security Agency. This new agency, he suggested, would focus on the needs of vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, widows, orphans, and the unemployed.

In his letter, Nwoko stated:

“The cries of hunger now echoing in the streets represent far more than just a lack of food. They are the voices of millions of Nigerians who have been stripped of their dignity, left to survive in a system that has repeatedly failed them. These are not merely protests; they are a collective outcry against the indignity of living without the certainty of basic needs or hope for a better future.”

He continued:

“This ministry, while well-intentioned, has proven to be a temporary bandage on a deep and festering wound. This approach does not respect the inherent dignity of our people. It treats them as dependents rather than as citizens with rights.”

Nwoko stressed the importance of recognizing social security as a fundamental right:

“Social security should be recognized not as an act of benevolence, but as a fundamental right. It is time to rethink our strategy and implement a transformative change that will pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”

“I therefore respectfully urge you to consider establishing a National Social Security Agency, directly under the Office of the President, to replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. This agency would target and address the needs of the vulnerable population through a more efficient and sustainable system, one that truly empowers rather than pities, one that upholds the dignity and respect every Nigerian deserves.”

He concluded by highlighting the moral responsibility to support Nigeria’s vulnerable populations:

“Our disabled who are daily fighting for a life of dignity in a society that overlooks their needs, our widows and orphans left without a breadwinner and struggling to survive, the unemployed who seek work but find only closed doors. Those who have suffered unimaginable losses through accidents, violence, abandonment and are now forgotten by the system that should protect them. These are the faces of Nigeria’s vulnerable population, and it is our moral obligation to ensure that they are not just seen but also supported with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Nwoko further emphasized that the country’s current approach to poverty alleviation is inadequate, prompting his call for replacing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs:

“The fight against poverty has been a central focus of development planning in Nigeria since independence. Various governments have introduced numerous poverty alleviation programs over the years. Yet, the grim reality is that these interventions have largely failed to deliver meaningful and lasting results. The statistics paint a sobering picture, as the poverty rate is approximately 40 per cent of Nigerians living below the poverty line. The unemployment rate stands at around 33 per cent, with many Nigerians, especially youth, unable to secure stable employment, while Persons Living with Disability are more than 25 million. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are over 3 million Nigerians.”

Nwoko’s proposal calls for a shift in how Nigeria addresses its socio-economic challenges, focusing on empowerment and sustainable solutions to support its most vulnerable citizens.