The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro has said that the maiden edition of the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction will hold in January, 2026 in Cross River State.
He disclosed this during the one-day Stakeholders’ meeting in preparation for the hosting of the Council, held in Abuja.
The Honourable Minister represented by the Permanent Secretary, FMHAPR, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, while declaring the meeting open, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to establishing a coordinated, efficient, and sustainable humanitarian governance framework through the newly approved National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
Dr. Doro noted that the Stakeholders’ Meeting represents “a crucial preparatory step” in shaping the structure, composition, and operational modalities of the National Council. He emphasized that the Council will serve as a robust coordination platform for policy harmonization, strategic alignment, and improved delivery of humanitarian and poverty reduction interventions nationwide.
“This meeting offers us the opportunity to unveil and review the proposed structures and composition of the National Council, share insights, and chart a more impactful way forward”.
He further stated that, the challenges of humanitarian crises and poverty in our nation require not only government commitment but also the expertise, partnership, and shared responsibility of all stakeholders present. The mandate of the Ministry is clear to protect vulnerable populations and provide them with opportunities to thrive.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to work collaboratively across sectors to build a resilient, inclusive, and accountable humanitarian system that effectively addresses the needs of Nigerians facing vulnerabilities and multidimensional poverty.
He urged participants to engage openly, contribute constructively, and help shape a functional, inclusive, and actionable National Council that will serve as a leading national platform for humanitarian coordination.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, described the Council as a “significant milestone in Nigeria’s humanitarian sector,” stressing that the success of the National Council will depend largely on effective multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Dr. Kofarmata highlighted the importance of aligning perspectives, harmonizing interventions, and drawing from the wealth of field experience, policy expertise, and operational knowledge represented in the room.
He stated that, “the establishment of the National Council reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to institutionalizing a structured and multisectoral framework for humanitarian response and poverty reduction.”
“Today’s engagement allows us to collectively lay a strong foundation built on knowledge, experience, and the realities of communities across Nigeria.”
He extended appreciation to local and international partners whose collaboration continues to reinforce institutional capacity and support service delivery to the most vulnerable.
The Stakeholders’ Meeting featured technical session with presentations from Chief Executives of the Agencies of the Ministry, Directors of the Ministry and other actors, all geared towards ensuring a successful inaugural meeting of the National Council.
Other participants at the meeting include Hon. Commissioners of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation from the 36 States and the FCT, Heads of Agencies, Directors of the Ministry, Representatives of MDAs, Development partners, INGOs, Civil Society Organizations, and other critical actors in the humanitarian ecosystem.
Signed
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Director, Information & Public Relations
