By our correspondant
The Federal Government has called for stronger state and local government leadership in humanitarian response and poverty reduction, unveiling plans to harmonise interventions under a unified national framework.
The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard M. Doro, made the call at a one-day high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue on strengthening sub-national ownership and Results-Based Financing, RBF for humanitarian and development interventions in Nigeria, supported by the European Union.
According to Dr Doro, states must begin to assume primary operational responsibility for first-line humanitarian responses, citing recurring flooding, insecurity, displacement and rising socio-economic vulnerabilities.
He stressed that sub-national ownership was no longer optional, noting that states and local governments possess the proximity and contextual knowledge needed for timely, effective and sustainable interventions.
He outlined key objectives of the dialogue, including strengthening the mandates of state ministries through improved budgeting, enhanced preparedness systems, better emergency coordination and the integration of humanitarian planning into state development frameworks. He also highlighted the need for practical, state-led response mechanisms such as early warning and early action models, improved coordination among State Emergency Management Agencies and community responders, as well as the application of results-based financing to improve accountability and link funding to measurable outcomes.
At the meeting, the minister unveiled a major policy initiative tagged the “One Humanitarian, One Poverty Reduction System,” a national platform designed to track and harmonise humanitarian and poverty reduction interventions across government, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector.
According to him, the system will enhance transparency, provide real-time data, eliminate duplication and support evidence-based decision-making, while anchoring financing on verifiable results.
Dr Doro noted that progress in humanitarian response and poverty reduction would be incremental but achievable through sustained commitment and collaboration. He said forthcoming engagements, including a February follow-up meeting and the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, would help ensure states and local governments internalise and implement national policies, with a focus on livelihood creation, productive interventions and clear exit strategies that move beneficiaries out of poverty.
Also speaking, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, highlighted the constitutional basis for cooperation across all tiers of government, adding that recent macroeconomic reforms and increased fiscal inflows to states and local governments present new opportunities for investment in humanitarian and social sectors.
Also, the EU Head of State, Human Development, Ms Leila Mathieu, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s humanitarian priorities through local ownership and sustainable financing models.
