Civil Society Groups Rally Against Alleged Plan to Eliminate Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

 

A coalition of over 300 registered civil society organizations, representing 30 million Nigerians, has voiced opposition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rumored plan to abolish the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The coalition, which includes organizations advocating for persons with disabilities, civil society groups, and other concerned entities, argued that dismantling the ministry would worsen the hardships faced by vulnerable Nigerians.

Reports have surfaced suggesting that President Tinubu may be considering scrapping the ministry and merging various government ministries, departments, and agencies as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

In a joint statement, Ambassador Auwal Ibrahim, Convener of the Coalition of Persons Living with Disabilities; Joy Elizabeth, Spokesperson for the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations; and Comrade Mohammed Abbas, representing the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria, expressed concern that dissolving the ministry would weaken protections for vulnerable populations, aggravate humanitarian crises, and impede efforts to alleviate poverty.

The coalition condemned the proposal as “unacceptable and poorly timed,” urging President Tinubu to reconsider and instead strengthen the ministry. They stressed that the ministry plays a vital role in addressing humanitarian emergencies and supporting social welfare.

“We firmly reject the proposal to scrap the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and call on President Tinubu to reconsider this decision. Removing the ministry would leave millions of Nigerians vulnerable to poverty, hunger, and despair, further worsening the country’s socio-economic difficulties.”

The coalition pledged to resist any attempt to dismantle the ministry and urged all Nigerians to join them in opposing the plan, demanding that the government prioritize the needs of its most vulnerable citizens. The group reiterated their commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of disadvantaged Nigerians, pushing for policies that promote social justice and equality.

While President Tinubu recently suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, no official announcement has been made regarding the potential scrapping of the ministry.