What you need to know
The Federal Government has launched the $1 billion Household Prosperity and Economic Social Protection Project, known as HOPE-SP.
The initiative is designed to shift humanitarian support from temporary palliatives toward sustainable economic empowerment and poverty reduction.
The government also unveiled a unified framework to better coordinate humanitarian and social protection programmes.
The Federal Government has unveiled and launched the $1 billion Household Prosperity and Economic Social Protection Project (HOPE-SP) as part of efforts to transform Nigeria's approach to humanitarian assistance and poverty reduction.
The initiative, themed “From Palliatives to Pathways,” was launched on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The launch was organised by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and is aimed at moving vulnerable households beyond short-term assistance toward recovery, economic empowerment and self-reliance.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, and his team for efforts to reform humanitarian interventions and make them more sustainable.
She said the initiatives would improve how vulnerable households are identified and supported while strengthening coordination among humanitarian and poverty-reduction programmes.
The First Lady also highlighted the importance of shock-responsive assistance, accountability and measurable results in ensuring that government interventions reach the people who need them most.
Government targets fragmented welfare system
Presenting the initiative, Minister Bernard Doro said the launch represented a strategic shift “from palliatives to pathways”, with vulnerable households placed at the centre of government interventions.
According to the minister, the reform is intended to tackle fragmentation, duplication and the existence of multiple uncoordinated registries across government programmes.
The proposed system will link household identification, needs assessment, targeted interventions, protection, empowerment, poverty graduation and sustainable economic growth.
A major component of the reform is the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS).
The ministry said OHOPRS would bring humanitarian response, social protection and poverty-reduction programmes into a coordinated national framework supported by unified registries, digital delivery systems, improved financing and stronger institutions.
The system is also expected to use real-time information to improve decision-making and strengthen accountability in the delivery of government assistance.
Other initiatives unveiled
In addition to HOPE-SP and OHOPRS, the government unveiled the Emergency Shock-Responsive Cash Transfer, designed to provide assistance to vulnerable households during emergencies and economic shocks.
The ministry also introduced the FMHAPR Ministerial Blueprint and the Humanitarian First Magazine, which will document government interventions and the experiences and impact of such programmes on beneficiaries.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, said the initiatives would strengthen coordination and accountability within Nigeria's humanitarian and social protection system.
He stressed that the ultimate measure of the reforms would be the tangible improvements they make in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
The launch attracted goodwill messages from state governments, development partners and other stakeholders.
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, speaking on behalf of governors and sub-national governments, joined the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar A. Bagudu, former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the European Union, World Bank and other international development partners in commending the Federal Government's efforts.
The event also featured a cultural performance by the Irigwe New Wave Dance Troupe from Plateau State.
The Federal Government said the reforms are intended to strengthen Nigeria's humanitarian response and social protection architecture while creating more sustainable pathways for vulnerable households to improve their economic circumstances.
PRESS RELEASE
— Fed Min of Info & Nat’l Orien (@FMINONigeria) August 26, 2026
FG Unveils $1 Billion HOPE-SP Initiative, Shifts Humanitarian Support from Palliatives to Sustainable Pathways
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has officially unveiled and launched the $1 billion Household Prosperity and Economic… pic.twitter.com/Av40eoSBhg
