President Bola Tinubu has been urged to replace the troubled Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation with a National Social Security Agency under the Office of the President.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria or HURIWA made the call which it said is an endorsement of Senator Ned Nwoko’s proposal to arrest worsening poverty and restore the dignity of Nigerians.
The ministry which has been without a minister for months after Ms Betta Edu was axed over allegations of corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement has seen key safety nets halted even in the face of hardship.
The usual handouts which were initiated by the administration Muhammadu Buhari that the Tinubu administration inherited ran into troubles following disbursements that did not follow extant laws and operational guidelines.
It led to infighting in the ministry leaving poor Nigerians especially women who were major beneficiaries in limbo.
Also, the school feeding programme which catalysed increasing school enrollment especially in the northern part of the country was stopped forcing parents who depended on the food to send their children to school to stop for lack of funds.
Senator Nwoko who represents Delta North Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly had in an open letter to President Tinubu argued for a total overhaul to target Nigerians who are under serious poverty.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, despite its intentions, has failed to address the root causes of poverty and social insecurity.
The Senator said the proposed establishment of a National Social Security Agency is fundamental as it would provide a more sustainable and dignified solution to social welfare and align Nigeria with global best practices in social security management.
HURIWA, while agreeing with the proposal, said its endorsement highlighted the urgent need to reimagine Nigeria’s approach to social welfare as the nation faces worsening poverty, widespread unemployment, and a pervasive sense of despair among its citizens.
HURIWA echoed Senator Nwoko’s sentiments, stressing that social security is a fundamental right of every Nigerian citizen.
The association in a statement issued by its National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko criticised the existing model of social support, describing it as a “patronising and demeaning approach” that perpetuates dependency.
HURIWA argued that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs symbolises this flawed system, where temporary relief measures have replaced long-term empowerment and self-sufficiency.
The group outlined several reasons why President Tinubu should implement Senator Nwoko’s recommendations. The association emphasised that creating a National Social Security Agency would represent a significant shift from the charity-oriented framework currently dominating Nigeria’s social welfare landscape.
Unlike the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which is seen as a temporary solution to immediate crises, the group argued that the proposed agency would institutionalise a rights-based approach to social support, restoring the dignity of vulnerable Nigerians who deserve to be treated as citizens with inherent rights rather than dependents on state benevolence.
It highlighted that the proposed agency, through a centralised National Social Security Database, would be better equipped to identify and address the needs of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, widows, orphans, unemployed, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The association stressed that these groups, who have been historically marginalised, would benefit immensely from a system designed to provide sustainable, long-term support rather than ad-hoc assistance that often fails to reach those most in need.
HURIWA also endorsed the proposal’s focus on using accurate, up-to-date data facilitated by the National Identification Number (NIN) to ensure that social security benefits reach those who genuinely need them.
The association emphasised that reliable data is crucial for eliminating fraud, reducing duplication of efforts, and ensuring efficient and effective use of resources.
Integrating NIN into the social security framework, HURIWA argued, would enhance transparency and accountability, two key elements currently lacking in the existing system.
It said a sustainable funding model for the National Social Security Agency as Senator Nwoko had stressed with a compulsory 5% first-line charge deductions from federal, state, and local government allocations, combined with contributions from private individuals and businesses, would create a robust and reliable funding source for the agency.
According to it, this model would ensure that the social security system is adequately financed and enjoys broad-based support from all sectors of society.
The group noted that the proposed National Social Security Agency has the potential to address some of the root causes of social unrest in Nigeria.
The association further pointed out that many protests and agitations currently plaguing the nation are driven by deep-seated hunger, poverty, and hopelessness. By guaranteeing the basic needs of food, shelter, and security, the agency would help alleviate these pressures and create a more stable and peaceful society.
HURIWA asserted that when citizens are confident their fundamental needs will be met, they are more likely to engage constructively in the nation’s development rather than resorting to desperate measures for survival.
It urged President Tinubu to view the establishment of a National Social Security Agency as a legacy project that could define his administration’s commitment to social justice and equitable governance.
The association noted that such a reform would set a new standard for governance in Nigeria and position the President as a champion of the poor and vulnerable.
By taking this bold step, HURIWA argued, President Tinubu would be remembered as a leader who truly understood and addressed the needs of his people.
The association called on President Tinubu to seize this opportunity to implement a transformative reform that would uplift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, restore their dignity, and lay the foundation for a more equitable and just society.