The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has rounded off its 2025 National Humanitarian Roundtable Programme on 26th March, 2025 in Abuja.
The 2 day Roundtable session with critical stakeholders in the Humanitarian sector with the aim to develop holistic humanitarian coordination framework for the country took place from 25th-26th March, 2025 at the Lake Green Field hotel kado, Abuja.
The Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Prof. Nantawe Goshwe YILWATDA in his speech on “Managing the Convergence of Policy and Reality through a Humanitarian Coordination Framework: A Vision on the Humanitarian Road Map” at the closing session of the Roundtable in his call for action that the country must move from Humanitarian aids to durable solutions. He emphasized that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a vision but a commitment that the Nigerian government will not just react to crisis but prevent, mitigate and build resilience. It is a declaration that every Nigerian no matter how vulnerable has a right to safety, dignity and opportunity. “Crisis is not just a test of our policies it is a test in our humanity. That is why great leaders are not remembered for their great speeches but by the lives they have restored” he added.
Yilwatda said that the humanitarian crisis we face today such as conflicts, climate disasters, economic hardships are not just statistics but real people, real families and real suffering. But beyond the hardship there is hope that through bold and decisive action we can transform vulnerability into resilience. This is the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda which goes beyond temporary relief to real lasting change where no Nigerian is left behind and where humanitarian response is not just about charity but about restoring dignity, building lives and creating opportunity for all. We cannot afford to let humanitarian response be a cycle of crisis and reaction. He said under the Renewed Hope Agenda is to move from ad-hoc interventions to a sustainable, coordinated and proactive system that truly empowers Nigerians in distress.
Speaking further, the Honourable Minister informed that a humanitarian coordination framework is not just an administrative tool but a bridge that ensures policies translate into real impact. Under Mr President’s leadership we must build a framework that is inclusive, adaptive, transparent and focused on long term resilience. To ensure this we must anchor efforts in four key pillars namely Inclusivity in action, Agility and Adaptability, Transparency and Accountability and Beyond Relief and Resilience.
He therefore pledged and requested for the following commitments:
From the government of Nigeria:- We will establish a high level working group to drive the development of the Nigerian Humanitarian Roadmap, ensuring all actors local and international are aligned under a unified framework. The National Humanitarian and Poverty Reduction Trust Fund recently approved by the Federal Executive Council will provide sustainable funding for rapid response and long term recovery.
From the United Nations system:- We urge you to deepen technical support and co-lead efforts in strengthening coordination, data integration and sustainable funding mechanisms that align Nigeria’s humanitarian realities.
From the Development Partners and Donors:- We need predictable, multi year funding not fragmented, short term assistance. Let us build a funding model that supports both emergency response and long-term resilience.
From local and International NGOs:- Your work on the frontline is invaluable. We ask you to integrate efforts more closely with government structures to ensure sustainability and avoid duplication of efforts.
*From the Private sector:- Your innovation and financial muscle can be game changers. We challenge you to step in not as bystanders but as proactive partners in humanitarian financing, logistics and Job creation for displaced persons.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of State Regional Development, Uba Amadu Magari expressed delight in being present at the event. He said the work done in the Humanitarian Ministry is also in line with the mandate of his Ministry and that the Ministry of Regional Development associates with the good work done in humanitarian affairs. He expressed the willingness of his Ministry to collaborate and support the Humanitarian Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr. Yakubu. A. Kofarmata represented by the Director Social Development, Mr Valentine Ezulu, in his closing remarks commended the deliberations. He thanked the partners, UN, private sector, NGOs for their contributions which made the event a success. He also appreciated the Honourable Minister and Honourable Minister of State for leading the way to ensuring that the Roundtable was a reality and said he look forward for continuous collaboration and more successful future for the ministry.
The high point of the closing session of the Roundtable was the reading of the Communique by the Honourable Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs from Ebonyi State, Hon. Mrs Ann Aligwe with the members of the Communique drafting Committee.
The Communique was signed by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the Honourable Minister of State and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohammed Malik Fall.
Signed
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Director Information and Public Relations
