EU Boosts Nigeria’s Social Safety Net with €46 Million Investment

The European Union has made a significant commitment to enhance Nigeria’s social protection system by allocating €46 million to strengthen the safety net for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. This considerable funding aims to address critical deficiencies within Nigeria’s social protection framework, ensuring that those in greatest need receive sufficient assistance during economic challenges and crises.

The initiative, known as the “Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria,” will be implemented over a three-year period, initially targeting four states: Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto. The goal of this program is to improve the responsiveness of Nigeria’s social protection system, thereby enhancing its capacity to address economic and social crises that impact vulnerable groups.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is dedicated to strengthening Nigeria’s social protection framework. To realize this goal, they will offer expert guidance on policy development, program design, and essential support for at-risk communities. This initiative will be executed in partnership with the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Labour and Employment.

Key objectives

·         Enhancing the National Social Register: Improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s social protection system through better planning, resource distribution, and policy execution.

·         Capacity Development for Policymakers: Providing policymakers with the necessary skills to create and implement effective social protection initiatives.

·         Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Establishing a more comprehensive legal structure to support Nigeria’s social protection system.

·         Optimizing Social Protection Management Information Systems: Enhancing the management and delivery of social protection services.

The EU’s investment highlights its enduring commitment to advancing social welfare programs in Nigeria. By fortifying the country’s social protection system, this initiative seeks to establish a more inclusive and resilient safety net for Nigeria’s most at-risk populations.

Abubakar Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, praised the initiative as a significant advancement in reinforcing Nigeria’s social protection framework. The EU’s investment signifies its long-term dedication to social welfare in Nigeria, having previously backed various projects aimed at poverty alleviation, healthcare improvement, and governance enhancement.

As Nigeria progresses through the challenges of economic development, this investment reflects the European Union’s enduring dedication to enhancing social welfare programs within the nation. The initiative seeks to fortify Nigeria’s social protection framework, with the goal of establishing a more inclusive and robust safety net for at-risk communities, thereby fostering a more prosperous and equitable future for all citizens of Nigeria.