The Nigerian government has teamed up with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to move 80 million vulnerable citizens away from reliance on aid and toward self-sufficiency. This initiative focuses on providing access to agricultural finance, skills training, and enterprise development.
Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch this effort. He noted that the National Social Register tracks roughly 20 million households, totaling 80 million people. Over 10 million of these individuals have already been verified using their National Identification Numbers (NIN).
By using this data, the government aims to replace broad, ineffective programs with targeted aid. The strategy relies on community-based assessments to ensure assistance reaches those who genuinely need it. According to the Minister, this collaboration is part of a larger plan to reduce waste and coordinate poverty reduction efforts through the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS).
Ayodeji Oludare, Managing Director of the BOA, stated that the bank is ready to provide necessary tools like fertilizers, seeds, and specialized credit-scoring services for farmers. The partnership aims to build a sustainable model that improves food security and economic resilience across rural areas.
Under the agreement, the ministry will manage beneficiary access and policy oversight, while the BOA will design financial products and provide technical expertise. This data-driven approach is expected to help secure further support from private and international development partners.
