Nigeria Launches N1.4 Trillion Social Protection Program

On [date not specified], the Nigerian federal government unveiled a N1.4 trillion social protection program named the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP) at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. This initiative aims to address poverty by transitioning vulnerable Nigerians from temporary palliatives to sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.

Alongside HOPE-SP, four other initiatives were launched: One-Humanitarian-One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), Emergency Cash Transfer Programme, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Ministerial Blueprint, and Humanity First Magazine. Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, emphasized the need for a shift from reactive palliatives to proactive empowerment, aiming to protect Nigerians from economic shocks.

He noted the fragmentation of existing social intervention programs and the need for a unified approach to effectively measure the impact of interventions. The new strategy will focus on identifying vulnerable households, assessing their needs, and providing tailored support.