The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring plan for the National Safety Nets Programmes, along with the appointment of new heads for various clusters within these programmes.
The announcement came during a meeting between the minister and the management and staff of the National Social Investment Programme Agency in Abuja.
Dr. Edu underscored that these changes align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are aimed at injecting renewed energy and a clear sense of direction to achieve the desired results.
She emphasised that programmes like N-Power were initiated to generate employment opportunities for Nigerians rather than cause them hardship. She also stressed that appointments to these positions would be under probation for a six-month period.
Dr. Edu issued a stern warning that individuals failing to meet expectations would be replaced. She directed programme officials to immerse themselves in the field, where the country’s most vulnerable populations reside, rather than remain in the comfort of their air-conditioned offices in Abuja.
She emphasised a zero-tolerance policy for inefficiency, excuses, and the need for verifiable results.
The Minister’s overarching goal for the restructuring is to ensure that the programmes effectively target the right beneficiaries, operate with transparency and accountability, and rebuild the trust of the Nigerian people in their government.
Edu stressed that programme beneficiaries must be willing to engage in full disclosure, underscoring the need for enhanced effectiveness, a private-sector mindset, flexibility, and teamwork.
The appointments to key positions under the restructuring are as follows:
- National Coordinator, NASSCO – Hon Abdulaziz Danladi
- National Cash Transfer Office, NCTO Head of Office – Dr. Michael Ajuluchukwu
- NCTO Deputy Head of Office – Dr. Janet Ekpenyong
- National Programme Manager, Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations (YESSO) – Richard Romanus
- National Communication Manager, NSIP – Hon Jamalu Kaburu
- National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for Refugees, Poor, and Internally Displaced Persons – Hon Chidinma Makuachukwu
- National Programme Manager, Grant For Vulnerable Groups – Hon Thalis Apalowo
- Programme Manager, At-Risk Children Programme – Hajia Salia Sanusi Yusuff
- National Programme Manager, National Homegrown School Feeding Programme (Renewed Hope Homegrown School Feeding and End Hunger Programme) – Hon Mrs. Angor Obande
- Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (Renewed Hope MSME Loan Programme) – Hon Dr. Joseph Nkang
- Programme Manager, N-Power Programme (Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme) – Dr. Akindele Adekunle Egbuwalo
- Renewed Hope IDP Refugees Out-of-School Programme (National Alternate School Programme) – Dr. Mrs. Etcheri Ansa
- National Project Manager, Community and Social Development Programme – Hon Olubunmi Bello
The Honourable Minister, Dr. Betta Edu, retains her position as the Chairman of the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) Management Team, while Abel O. Enitan, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, serves as the Secretary of the NASSCO Management Team.
The Minister has charged the newly appointed officials to bring their wealth of experience to their new roles, emphasising that there will be no room for excuses or failure in achieving the Renewed Hope mandate and advancing Nigeria forward.
