The EU has allocated €46 million to bolster Nigeria’s social protection system through the “Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria” initiative. The program, launched in Abuja, seeks to improve the National Social Protection Register and enhance the system’s responsiveness to economic challenges. Implemented in four states, the initiative will be supported by UNICEF and ILO, signifying a strong partnership to uplift vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
The European Union (EU) has pledged €46 million to enhance Nigeria’s social protection system through a newly launched initiative termed “Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria.” The program was unveiled at the United Nations House in Abuja, signifying a crucial advancement in fortifying Nigeria’s social safety nets.
Official statements from Osagie Jacobs J.I, Director of Information & Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, reveal that this initiative is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the EU. The program primarily aims to rectify deficiencies in the National Social Protection Register, thereby improving its utility as a resource allocation and policy implementation tool.
The program will initially focus on four states—Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto—over a period of three years. It seeks to increase the social protection system’s capability to respond to shocks at both the federal and state levels, ensuring enhanced preparedness against economic and social crises affecting vulnerable populations.
In supporting this endeavor, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will lead the program’s implementation. These organizations will offer technical support and policy guidance while collaborating with the Federal Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Labour and Employment to guarantee effective distribution of aid.
Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, affirmed the Nigerian government’s dedication to this collaboration, highlighting it as a landmark moment in the country’s pursuit of a stronger social protection framework. The EU’s investment underscores its consistent commitment to social development in Nigeria, having previously funded various humanitarian and social protection initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, healthcare improvement, and governance enhancement.
The Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria aims to build a more inclusive and resilient social assistance framework. It is expected to yield significant results, including an improved National Social Register, enhanced capacity for policymakers, reinforced legal structures, and a more streamlined Social Protection Management Information System.
The EU’s €46 million investment in Nigeria’s social protection system signifies an important step toward ensuring effective social safety nets for vulnerable populations. This program, implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and ILO, aims to strengthen data-driven interventions and enhance the resilience of social protection frameworks. Overall, it represents a collective commitment to addressing poverty and improving welfare in Nigeria.
Original Source: nairametrics.com
