The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has announced plans to deepen collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support vulnerable citizens and institutionalize its core mandate.
This assurance was given by the Minister, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, during a courtesy visit by the UNHCR delegation led by the Country Representative, Arjun Jain, in Abuja.
Yilwatda commended UNHCR for its longstanding partnership and pledged the Ministry’s commitment to achieving the United Nations’ goals in humanitarian assistance and response.
He highlighted his prior experience working with the UN, which included projects like solar installations for vaccine refrigerators and education initiatives for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“Collaborating with the UN will be a seamless transition for me. We aim to institutionalize these efforts and align them with the Ministry’s policy framework to ensure sustainability,” the Minister stated.
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He also assured UNHCR of the Ministry’s active participation in the upcoming “Africa Roundtable on Private Sector Solutions” conference in Lagos on November 28-29.
He emphasised the importance of leveraging insights from the conference to integrate sustainable practices into the Ministry’s core activities, ensuring long-term impact.
Yilwatda also addressed the Ministry’s recent efforts in securing the release of minors detained during the EndBadGovernance protests.
He revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, facilitated their unconditional release and has begun rehabilitation and reintegration efforts with the support of state governors.
Earlier, UNHCR Country Representative Arjun Jain highlighted the agency’s priorities, including addressing issues faced by refugees and IDPs.
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He noted that 3% of the global displaced population—approximately 122 million people—are Nigerians, underscoring the country’s significant role in regional stability and global economic impact.
Jain praised Nigeria’s hospitality toward refugees in states such as Cross River, Benue, and Taraba. He outlined ongoing efforts to relocate refugees from camps to farmlands, aiming to equip them with agricultural skills for self-reliance.
Additionally, Jain emphasised the importance of documentation and financial inclusion for refugees, as well as their integration into the National Social Register to enhance their access to government programs.
The Ministry and UNHCR affirmed their commitment to exploring sustainable solutions to humanitarian challenges, signalling a new phase of collaboration for the benefit of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
