The Federal Government, including development partners, have adopted a unified national framework aimed at coordinating humanitarian action, social protection, and poverty reduction across the country.

The framework, code-named “One Humanitarian – One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS)”,  is designed to integrate humanitarian assistance, social protection, and development programming into a single national system.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr Bernard Foro, announced the adoption following a four-day national technical workshop on OHOPRS, organised with support from development partners, including International Alert.

The Minister  said the new framework would address longstanding challenges of fragmentation, duplication, and lack of coordination that have hindered effective humanitarian response and poverty reduction efforts in Nigeria.

He said OHOPRS is not a standalone programme but a national operating system intended to streamline interventions and ensure a transition from short-term relief to long-term self-reliance.

He mentioned that the unified strategy marks a major step in reforming humanitarian interventions and reducing poverty at scale.

The government said findings from field engagements, particularly in the North-East, revealed that many beneficiaries remain trapped in cycles of intermittent support without sustainable progress, underscoring the need for systemic reform.

He warned that continued inaction would perpetuate inefficiencies, stressing that uncoordinated interventions have led to repeated efforts, resource wastage, and persistent vulnerability among affected communities.

The minister explained that under the framework, the government plans to introduce a unified national coordination system, an integrated beneficiary registry, and a pooled financing structure to improve accountability and efficiency.

Other key components include a shift from intervention-based delivery to measurable poverty exit outcomes, as well as the deployment of real-time monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

Dr Doro said the framework will also operate a “Ladder of Progress” model, which includes identifying beneficiaries through the National Social Register, tracking interventions via a unified database, supporting graduation from poverty through structured pathways, and sustaining resilience through growth-focused initiatives.

He however called for alignment and collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state and local governments, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and non-governmental organisations to ensure effective implementation.

He emphasised that poverty reduction remains a critical pillar of national security, reaffirming its commitment to transitioning Nigerians from survival to sustainable livelihoods.