By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to shocks and protect vulnerable populations, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has inaugurated the Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) Technical Working Group (TWG) and the TWG has validated the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), marking a major milestone in the country’s evolving social protection architecture.
The high-level engagement, which brought together key government institutions, development partners, and multi-sectoral stakeholders, reflects a renewed national commitment to building a more coordinated, adaptive, and resilient system capable of addressing the growing complexities of poverty and vulnerability in Nigeria.
Delivering the keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction (FMHAPR), Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, underscored the urgency of strengthening systems that can effectively respond to Nigeria’s increasingly complex risk landscape, characterized by climatic, economic, and humanitarian shocks.
He noted that these shocks continue to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations, disrupt livelihoods, and reverse hard-earned development gains, thereby necessitating a more structured and anticipatory approach to social protection.
“Shock-Responsive Social Protection has become not only relevant but essential. It enables us to anticipate, prepare for, and respond effectively to crises by leveraging existing systems to deliver timely and targeted support to those in need,” he stated.
The Permanent Secretary further explained that the SRSP framework aligns with the Ministry’s broader One Humanitarian–One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS), a strategic model designed to bridge the gap between humanitarian assistance and long-term development interventions through coordinated governance, unified data systems, and sustainable financing mechanisms.
He emphasized that the validation of the SOP represents a transition from conceptual frameworks to operational readiness, providing clear guidance on coordination, institutional roles, resource deployment, and response triggers during crises.
“While frameworks are important, real impact comes from execution. This will require sustained political will, adequate financing, strong coordination, and continuous capacity building,” he added.
Reaffirming government commitment, he formally inaugurated the SRSP Technical Working Group, charging members to drive implementation with diligence, professionalism, and a strong sense of national responsibility.
Providing the technical context for the initiative, the Director of Social Development Department and Chair of the SRSP Technical Working Group, Mr. Valentine Ezulu, described the engagement as a critical platform for validating a framework developed through rigorous analysis and extensive multi-stakeholder consultations.
He stressed that the exercise goes beyond validation, positioning it as a defining moment to reposition Nigeria’s social protection system to better respond to present realities and future uncertainties.
“This is more than a validation exercise; it is a defining moment to reposition Nigeria’s social protection system to respond effectively to present realities and future uncertainties,” he stated.
Mr. Ezulu highlighted key priority areas, including strengthening system integration and interoperability, enhancing scalability and shock responsiveness, leveraging digital innovation and data systems and ensuring that interventions remain inclusive and people-centred.
He further emphasized the importance of sustainable financing and coordinated implementation, noting that the effectiveness of the SRSP framework will ultimately be measured by its ability to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Mr. Serigne Loum, reaffirmed the organisation’s strong commitment to supporting Nigeria’s social protection system through both technical expertise and financial resources.
He noted that the development of the SRSP framework reflects sustained collaboration between government and development partners, particularly within the United Nations system, and stressed the importance of translating these efforts into concrete action.
“What remains now is the most important part—to move into full implementation and activation of the SOP whenever we have a shock,” he said.
Mr. Loum further disclosed that WFP stands ready to support simulation exercises to test the effectiveness and responsiveness of the SOP in real-life emergency scenarios, noting that such exercises are critical to ensuring system readiness.
He cautioned that failure to implement the framework after significant investments would undermine collective efforts, emphasizing the need for urgency and sustained commitment.
Similarly, the Social Protection Development Partners Group (SP- DPG), represented by Mr. George Akor, acknowledged the significant progress made since 2020 in strengthening Nigeria’s shock-responsive social protection systems.
He pointed to improvements in policy design, institutional capacity, and programme implementation, noting that the SRSP framework and SOP represent a consolidation of these gains.
“Achieving our poverty reduction targets requires coordinated action across sectors, particularly in addressing the multiple and intersecting shocks that continue to drive vulnerability,” he stated.
Across all interventions, stakeholders emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration, system alignment and effective implementation in achieving a responsive and inclusive social protection system.