By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to tackle poverty, shifting focus from short-term relief to long-term economic stability, as over N11.48 billion was disbursed to vulnerable households in Kwara State under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme.

Speaking at the HoPE-CT Beneficiary and Stakeholder Engagement in Kwara on Friday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Duro, said the initiative is being repositioned as a “graduation system” designed to move beneficiaries from dependence on aid to sustainable livelihoods.

Duro disclosed that 183,186 households benefited in the first tranche of the programme, while 139,812 and 141,852 households were reached in the second and third tranches, respectively.

He clarified that the figures are not entirely distinct, as many beneficiaries transition across phases through a National Identification Number (NIN) validation process to ensure transparency and accountability.

The minister said the Federal Government is aligning social protection interventions under a unified framework tagged “One Humanitarian – One Poverty Response System,” aimed at eliminating fragmentation and ensuring measurable outcomes.

“Interventions must no longer operate in silos. They must be connected, tracked, and structured towards a clear outcome. Support must lead somewhere—it must move people forward,” he said.

He added that the strategy is anchored on a robust poverty exit plan integrating livelihood support, skills training, and cooperative development to help beneficiaries achieve economic independence.

Duro commended the role of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in strengthening the programme, noting that the state has aligned its policies with national social protection goals.

He also underscored the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to expanding social safety nets and ensuring accountability in delivering interventions to vulnerable Nigerians.

Addressing beneficiaries, the minister stressed that the programme is free and warned against any form of extortion, urging participants to report unauthorised demands.

The engagement, attended by government officials, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society groups, provided a platform to review progress and outline the next phase of the initiative.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government said more than 460,000 households across its 16 local government areas have benefited from the programme.

The Commissioner for Social Development, Dr Mariam NnaFatima Imam, described the initiative as a lifeline for thousands of families, noting that it has improved stability across communities.

She said over 183,000 households benefited in the first phase, about 139,000 in the second, and over 141,000 in the third, with funds disbursed through debit cards and direct transfers to ensure transparency.

Imam added that the programme aligns with the state government’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and improving the welfare of vulnerable groups, including orphans, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and disadvantaged children.

According to her, collaboration between the Ministry of Social Development, the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), and the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) has enhanced coordination and delivery.

She commended the minister’s leadership, noting that federal support remains crucial in expanding humanitarian interventions and deepening social safety nets nationwide.

The commissioner added that the visit provides an opportunity to deepen collaboration and scale up the programme, with a renewed commitment to delivering inclusive, people-focused initiatives that uplift lives and build resilience.