The senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create a National Social Security Agency under his office to replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Senator Nwoko, in an open letter to the President yesterday, said the current approach by the ministry, which relies heavily on charitable handouts, is demeaning and perpetuates a cycle of poverty in the country.
He said the current agitations are a collective voice of millions of Nigerians who have been stripped of dignity and left to survive in a system that has failed them repeatedly.
“These are not merely protests; they are a collective outcry against the indignity of living without the certainty of basic needs, without hope for a better future.
“Your excellency, in the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we reassess our approach to social welfare in Nigeria. The current framework, embodied by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, has not only fallen short of addressing these issues but has also perpetuated a cycle of dependency and poverty.
“This ministry, while well-intentioned, has proven to be a temporary bandage on a deep and festering wound. This approach does not respect the inherent dignity of our people. It treats them as dependents rather than as citizens with rights.”
He said, “Social security should be recognised not as an act of benevolence, but as a fundamental right. It is time to rethink our strategy and implement a transformative change to pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for all Nigerians.
“I respectfully urge you to consider establishing a National Social Security Agency, directly under the Office of the President, to replace the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs”.
He explained, “This agency would target and address the needs of the vulnerable population through a more efficient and sustainable system that truly empowers rather than pities, one that upholds the dignity and respect every Nigerian deserves. A system that ensures citizens feel truly secure, confident that no matter the circumstances, their basic needs for food and shelter will be met, a system that will provide the government with the necessary space to focus on other critical aspects of governance, free from unprovoked backlash due to perceived neglect or lack of support,”.
Senator Nwoko said the agency, which will have offices in all the 774 local government areas, will target elderly people, disabled persons, widows, orphans, unemployed people and internally displaced persons who have suffered loss either through violence or accidents.
He reiterated, “The existing model, which relies heavily on charitable handouts and temporary relief measures, is inadequate and fundamentally flawed”.
He stated further that the current model turns those in need into dependents rather than empowering them to raise their circumstances.
“This approach is not only patronising but also demeaning, perpetuating a cycle of dependency. Substantial portions of allocated funds are often misappropriated or wasted. The aid that does reach those in need is insufficient and quickly depleted on immediate necessities rather than fostering long-term empowerment or self-sufficiency.
“Your excellency, continuing to administer social support through a charity-oriented framework is both dishonourable and counterproductive. It turns those in need into dependents rather than empowering them to rise above their circumstances.
“The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, by its very name, suggests that social support is a benevolent gift rather than a fundamental right. This mindset is outdated and should be replaced with one that recognises social security as a rightful entitlement for every Nigerian citizen.
“To rectify this, I propose the creation of a National Social Security Agency, a centralised body tied directly to the office of the president, tasked with managing a National Social Security database. This database will ensure comprehensive and accurate records of all Nigerians, enabling the government to effectively identify and address needs related to housing, employment, healthcare, and more”.
