Senator Ned Nwoko (APC–Delta North) has called for the establishment of a National Social Security Agency (NSSA) to replace the existing Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, saying the move would strengthen the nation’s welfare and poverty-alleviation system.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the lawmaker explained that the creation of a specialized agency would ensure better management, transparency, and coordination of social intervention programmes across the country.
According to Nwoko, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs was initially conceived to address critical social issues but has struggled to achieve the desired impact due to overlapping mandates and weak institutional structures.
“What we need now is a National Social Security Agency with a clear legal framework and the capacity to deliver direct support to citizens,” he said. “This agency will focus on the effective distribution of palliatives, social benefits, and welfare funds to Nigerians in need.”
The senator, who represents the Delta North Senatorial District, noted that an independent social security body would help reduce duplication of functions, enhance accountability, and streamline the country’s welfare system.
He added that the NSSA would also provide a more reliable structure for implementing government’s poverty-reduction policies, as well as emergency response initiatives during economic or humanitarian crises.
“We cannot continue with a structure that allows for inefficiency and poor coordination. A new agency backed by legislation will make a real difference in the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” Nwoko emphasized.
The lawmaker further urged the National Assembly and the Federal Government to begin the legislative process to establish the agency, stressing that a modern social security framework is essential for protecting citizens, especially during periods of economic hardship.
He also highlighted that the proposed NSSA would help Nigeria align with international best practices, as most developed countries already have functioning social security systems dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations.
Nwoko reiterated that the goal of the agency would not only be to manage palliatives but also to design and sustain long-term welfare programmes that promote social inclusion and national stability.
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