HURIWA Supports Ned Nwoko's Proposal to Replace Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with National Social Security Agency

 

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has endorsed Senator Ned Nwoko's proposal to replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with a National Social Security Agency under the President's Office.

HURIWA emphasized the urgent need to rethink Nigeria’s social welfare approach amid escalating poverty, widespread unemployment, and growing despair among citizens.

According to DAILY POST, Senator Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has advocated for a significant overhaul of Nigeria's social safety net in a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He criticized the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for not addressing the underlying causes of poverty and social insecurity and proposed a National Social Security Agency as a more sustainable solution aligned with global best practices.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA supported Senator Nwoko’s call. The group argued that social security is a fundamental right and criticized the current model of social support as patronizing and perpetuating dependency.

HURIWA suggested that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs represents a flawed system, relying on temporary relief rather than long-term empowerment. They outlined several reasons for adopting Nwoko’s recommendations, including the need for a shift from charity-based support to a rights-based approach that respects the dignity of vulnerable Nigerians.

The association highlighted that a National Social Security Agency, supported by a centralized database, would better address the needs of Nigeria's most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, widows, orphans, unemployed, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). They praised the proposal for its focus on using accurate, up-to-date data, facilitated by the National Identification Number (NIN), to ensure social security benefits are effectively targeted and reduce fraud.

HURIWA also endorsed the proposal’s sustainable funding model and its potential to address the root causes of social unrest, noting that many current protests stem from hunger, poverty, and hopelessness. The agency, by ensuring basic needs are met, could help alleviate these pressures and contribute to a more stable and peaceful society.