By Muyideen Aliyu
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Kwara State Government, has deepened social protection across the state, with over 460,000 households benefiting from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme (HOPE-CT).
This was made known last weekend in Ilorin, during a working visit by the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, when he engaged stakeholders and beneficiaries of the programme.
The programme brought together federal and state government officials, development partners, and thousands of beneficiaries drawn from across the 16 local government areas of the state.
commended the State government for its strong implementation framework and commitment to social protection delivery. He described the programme as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s poverty reduction strategy and a model for effective federal-state collaboration.
The Minister stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and data-driven targeting to ensure that support reaches the most vulnerable households.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds to improve household stability and economic resilience. He further assured the Federal Government’s commitment to scaling up humanitarian interventions across the country, noting that partnerships with states like Kwara remain essential to achieving sustainable poverty reduction outcomes.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, described the HOPE-CT programme as a life-changing intervention that continues to restore dignity and improve livelihoods across the state.
She said the programme aligns with the vision of the Kwara State Government under the leadership of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, particularly in strengthening social inclusion for orphans and vulnerable children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other disadvantaged groups.
According to her, the state government, through the Ministry of Social Development and the State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), has continued to strengthen coordination and delivery of social intervention programmes, with the cash transfer unit domiciled within KWASSIP enhancing efficiency and accountability.
She remarked that the HOPE-CT programme has so far reached over 183,000 households in the first phase, about 139,000 in the second phase, and over 141,000 in the third phase, covering all parts of the state.
Also, in a message, the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, described the programme as a major social investment initiative that continues to uplift families and align with the inclusive governance agenda of Governor AbdulRazaq.
She noted that over 463,000 households are expected to benefit across the three phases, describing the impact as far-reaching and transformative.
The Acting General Manager of KWASSIP, Dr. AbdulWasiu Tejidini, highlighted Kwara’s pioneering role in social investment programming in Nigeria, noting that the state’s model has been replicated in several other states.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the agency to sustain interventions across different sectors, including traders, transporters, artisans, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.
