Abuja, Nigeria, the newly appointed Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, on Tuesday officially assumed office at the Ministry’s headquarters, Federal Secretariat, Abuja, pledging to lead with compassion, humility, and integrity in pursuit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Honourable minister assumption of office follows his appointment and swearing-in by President Tinubu, succeeding Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who now serves as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Upon arrival at the Ministry located on the 5th Floor, Phase 1, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Honourable minister was warmly received by the Minister of State, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu; the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata; Directors, Heads of Agencies, and Programme Managers of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
In his maiden address to staff, He expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception extended to him, describing the Ministry as “a family.”
“It feels like a family. I am willing to study the culture here and be part of it. The positive aspects of our culture will be maintained, and where we need to make adjustments, we will challenge ourselves to do better,” he said.
He emphasized that teamwork, trust, and shared accountability would form the cornerstone of his leadership, stating that success in governance is not merely about people working together, but about “people who truly trust one another.”
Acknowledging his predecessor, he described Professor Yilwatda as “a friend and a mentor” while pledging to build on the solid foundation already laid.
“I will depend on your experience, technical expertise, and institutional memory to build on the achievements already recorded,” he told staff.
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Having lived in the United Kingdom for more than two decades, the minister admitted that there would be a period of adjustment but assured that he would combine humility with decisive action.
“Leveraging your experience and knowledge, and with humility to learn and courage to act, we will move this Ministry to greater heights,” he added.
Renewed Commitment to Poverty Reduction
Reaffirming his commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister underscored the urgency of addressing multi-dimensional poverty, which affects over 60 percent of Nigerians.
“It is our job, as the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to help people move up from where they are and enable them to achieve social mobility,” he said.
“We will do this by working together, collaborating, partnering, and ensuring accountability to one another. We want to make hope a reality for the Nigerians we serve.” He promised to foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility among the Ministry’s staff.
“With humility, collaboration, and integrity, we will deliver meaningful change to our people,” he concluded.
Sununu Hails Doro’s Appointment
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, congratulated Dr. Doro, describing him as “a close friend and capable leader whose expertise will enrich the humanitarian and social protection landscape.”
Dr. Sununu praised outgoing Minister Professor Yilwatda for his humility and leadership, which he said earned him the confidence of President Tinubu and his new role as APC National Chairman.
He outlined the Ministry’s key achievements, including:
The National Social Register (NSR), capturing 19.8 million households — over 90 million Nigerians, the largest social database in Africa.
Integration of the NSR with the National Identification Number (NIN) for transparency and inclusion.
Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) reaching 8.8 million Nigerians, with new tranches to be announced publicly.
The launch of the “Skill to Wealth Initiative,” providing training in automobile maintenance, computer diagnostics, solar technology, and agriculture.
Introduction of a National Policy on Cash Transfer to ensure all financial aid is delivered with dignity.
International partnerships for humanitarian and social programmes.
Establishment of the Renewed Hope Resettlement City in Nasarawa State, commissioned by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Our aim is to serve effectively and reposition the Ministry to achieve Mr. President’s ambition—for every Nigerian to live a dignified life where no one is left behind,” Dr. Sununu stated.
Permanent Secretary Reaffirms Support
Earlier, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, the Permanent Secretary, welcomed Dr. Doro and pledged the Ministry’s full loyalty and cooperation in executing the President’s vision.
“We assure the Honourable Minister of our collective commitment to ensuring 100 percent implementation of the Ministry’s mandate,” he said.
Dr. Kofarmata commended the dedication of directors, heads of agencies, and programme managers, noting that their work directly impacts millions of vulnerable Nigerians daily.
A Personal Touch: Compassion and Vision
Before assuming office in Abuja, Dr. Doro had attended engagements in Plateau State, including the Wusal Wurum 2025 and the Praise Music Video Awards in Jos, where he underscored his belief in youth development as a cornerstone of national growth and human dignity.
At the event, he declared that the Ministry’s mission would focus on implementing welfarist policies to uplift vulnerable Nigerians and those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
“We will act clearly, independently, and with impartiality, guided by humanity,” he said. “Our goal is to make hope a reality for the Nigerians we serve.”
