By Moses Daniel
The Federal Government, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with support from the German Government, has unveiled 10 Mobile One-Stop Shop vehicles to improve access to essential services for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other vulnerable Nigerians.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, unveiled the vehicles on Wednesday in Abuja, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable citizens are not excluded from essential government services because of their location or circumstances.
Doro described the initiative as a practical intervention aimed at removing barriers that prevent displaced persons and underserved communities from accessing critical services.
He said the mobile units would bring government services closer to people who face difficulties reaching conventional service centres.
The vehicles are equipped to facilitate birth registration, National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment, SIM registration, Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, bank account opening and enrolment in the National Social Register.
According to the minister, the initiative aligns with the ministry’s One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System, which seeks to move vulnerable Nigerians beyond temporary relief by connecting them to identity documentation, financial inclusion and social protection opportunities.
He said the programme also supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by creating pathways for vulnerable populations to access government interventions and improve their livelihoods.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Janet McDickson Noah, Doro stressed that identity documentation was fundamental to social and economic inclusion.
He noted that people without recognised identity documents or proper registration were often excluded from government support programmes and other essential services.
The minister expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Germany, through its embassy in Nigeria, for providing the support that facilitated the acquisition of the 10 vehicles.
He described the contribution as a demonstration of international solidarity and a significant investment in improving service delivery to displaced persons and vulnerable communities.
Doro also commended UNHCR for its sustained commitment to supporting displaced populations in Nigeria, urging the 10 beneficiary states to ensure that the vehicles were properly maintained, secured and regularly deployed to reach remote settlements and vulnerable households.
He expressed optimism that the programme would eventually be extended beyond the initial 10 states to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, described the handover as a significant step towards addressing the difficulties faced by IDPs and vulnerable communities in accessing civil documentation, identity-related services and other essential public services.
He acknowledged the contributions of UNHCR and the German Government, urging the participating states to ensure the effective deployment, maintenance and security of the vehicles.
Also speaking, the German Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Stefan Rößel, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to its partnership with Nigeria, particularly in supporting initiatives that strengthen humanitarian response and improve access to essential services for vulnerable populations.
The Interim United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Ms. Vanessa Pala, emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among the Federal Government, UN agencies and development partners to ensure that displaced persons and vulnerable communities were not left behind.
She said coordinated service delivery remained critical to expanding access to identity documentation, financial inclusion and social protection for people in need.
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