Abuja, Nigeria — The new Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, has expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the newly launched Ssonic Gas Company Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainable development, poverty reduction, and improving the quality of life for Nigerians.
Speaking at the foundation’s official unveiling on Sunday, the Minister described the initiative as a “massive step in the right direction” towards tackling the country’s poverty challenges and delivering measurable, long-term impact.
“You can count on us,” Minister tells Foundation
Dr Doro said the launch was timely and strategic, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to working with credible non-state actors contributing to national development.
“The humanitarian and poverty alleviation space is massive. We need active players who can support us,” he said.
“Poverty levels in our country are alarming. Today, 63% of Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, and around 30% fall into the ultra-poor category. Your coming on board is not only welcome, but necessary.”
He added that the foundation’s mission aligns closely with the ministry’s long-term agenda to reduce poverty and strengthen resilience among vulnerable communities.
As part of the partnership, Dr Doro announced that, in compliance with Nigeria’s data protection regulations, the ministry will provide the foundation with controlled and lawful access to relevant sections of the National Social Register (NSR), a secure database used to identify poor and vulnerable households.
“We have the data required to target intended beneficiaries. We will work with you,” he said.
“However, we will continue strengthening and cleansing the data to ensure it is fit for purpose and truly represents those in need.”
He added that ongoing reforms will broaden the register to include more eligible Nigerians.
Dr Doro commended the foundation’s proposed green-focused intervention programmes, describing them as forward-looking initiatives that promote environmental sustainability while supporting vulnerable communities.
“Leveraging green projects to alleviate poverty is very dear to me. It is one of my core priorities,” the Minister noted.
“We can work together to use these initiatives to lift people out of poverty and help them move towards self-reliance.”
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He stressed that meaningful poverty reduction requires a structured pathway, transitioning beneficiaries from short-term assistance to long-term stability through environmentally sustainable solutions.
Ensuring Measurable and Evidence-Based Impact
The Minister assured the foundation that the ministry will fully support efforts to implement scalable, measurable and evidence-based interventions.
“We will collaborate to ensure the work is measurable, impactful and backed by social proof,” he said.
“You have the goodwill and partnership of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. We are happy to have you on board.”
Guests at the event welcomed the presence of Dr Doro, who was introduced as an “amazing and intelligent gentleman” dedicated to improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Representatives of the Ssonic Gas Company Foundation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting national development by empowering communities, expanding economic opportunities and implementing sustainable, environmentally responsible programmes for vulnerable households.
As Nigeria continues to face complex humanitarian and economic pressures, the partnership between the Federal Government and credible non-profit organisations such as the Ssonic Gas Company Foundation is expected to play a significant role in bridging development gaps and uplifting millions of citizens.
