By George Ozalla
The Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building sustainable livelihoods and reducing dependence on foreign aid as part of its broader poverty reduction strategy. Dr Sununu made the remarks yesterday at a policy dialogue organised by The Nextier, held at Rockview Hotel Royale, Wuse II, Abuja, with the theme “Building Resilience Beyond Aid: Nigeria’s Path to Sustainable Development.”
The event, which drew participants from across government agencies, the development community, academia, and the private sector, explored how Nigeria can strengthen domestic systems to achieve self-reliance and resilience in the face of dwindling international support.
Dr Sununu, in his address, emphasised the need for a holistic and people-centred approach to humanitarian response and poverty reduction. According to him, the government is working towards implementing sustainable solutions that go beyond temporary relief, ensuring that displaced persons and vulnerable groups are empowered through skills, education, and access to basic services. He noted that the administration remains committed to resettling internally displaced persons, supporting livelihoods, and creating opportunities that would enable citizens to live in dignity and self-sufficiency.
The minister stressed that humanitarian interventions must align with economic empowerment programmes and local development plans, adding that collaboration among ministries, state governments, and development partners is key to achieving lasting impact. “We will not simply provide recurring hand-outs,” he said. “Our goal is to strengthen local capacity and build resilience among affected populations through practical and coordinated action.”
Participants at the dialogue discussed a range of issues, including the decline in donor funding, the number of clinics shut down in northeastern Nigeria, and the overall effect of past international aid freezes on local development initiatives. A striking revelation from the session was that Nigerians rank among the most generous people in the world in terms of charitable giving, an indication of strong social capital and community solidarity despite widespread economic challenges.
The discussions also highlighted the need for Nigeria to diversify its development financing sources, enhance local philanthropy, and create enabling environments for private investment in social sectors such as healthcare, education, and community resilience. The Nextier team and guest speakers underscored that sustainable development requires long-term commitment, policy consistency, and local ownership of interventions.
Observers described the event as timely, coming at a period when Nigeria is redefining its development priorities to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which focuses on food security, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.
The Nextier dialogue, according to organisers, sought to generate actionable insights and policy recommendations for Nigeria’s transition from aid dependence to sustainable, homegrown development strategies.
Dr Sununu’s remarks and the overall outcomes of the meeting reaffirmed a growing consensus that resilience must be built from within — through inclusive governance, accountability, and the empowerment of local communities.
The Nextier, a public policy advisory organization, has over the years convened high-level policy forums to address critical governance and development issues in Nigeria and across Africa, fostering dialogue among government institutions, donors, and civil society towards achieving sustainable development goals.
