ILO Nigeria’s First Transform Trainers To Boost Social Protection

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has held Nigeria’s first cohort of national master trainers under the TRANSFORM methodology, to strengthen social protection systems and expand access to vulnerable populations.

The certification is aimed at building a skilled workforce capable of designing, implementing and managing social protection programmes.

The initiative, funded by the European Union (EU), is expected to improve Nigeria’s social protection coverage, with projections indicating that by 2027, more people will have increased access to critical services.

The programme also targets Nigeria’s social protection management information systems, with plans to establish a fully interoperable platform across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). This is expected to enhance coordination, data sharing and the overall efficiency of social interventions.

Speaking at the closing ceremony in Abuja yesterday, ILO director for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala, said the certification is a testament to the ILO’s commitment to building institutional capacity and advancing inclusive development.

She noted that the TRANSFORM initiative, developed at the request of the African Union, has trained more than 5,000 specialists across about 30 African countries.

Phala said the newly certified trainers would play a critical role in cascading knowledge and strengthening social protection delivery nationwide, adding that the programme has already demonstrated impact across the region through partnerships with United Nations agencies, including UNICEF, WFP, FAO and UNDP.

She emphasised the importance of collaboration among institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the knowledge gained translates into measurable outcomes, particularly in addressing poverty and supporting vulnerable communities.

“he said, “I know we have partners collaborating on this project, and hopefully they will join us before the end of the lecture.” It really gives me great pleasure to be part of this very important achievement and project for SUSE, supporting its data protection systems.

TRANSFORM was developed at the request of the African Union, and we wanted to ensure that we have a body of professionals and experts in social protection who can design, implement, and manage social protection interventions for people in “tia” lives on low incomes.

“To date, we have trained over 5,000 specialists in TRANSFORM in the region across about 30 African countries. This is a partnership; it’s a joint UN partnership, and we have seen how this training has transformed initiatives on the ground.

So, to you, our new master trainers, I want to welcome you warmly to the TRANSFORM family in Africa. You are now certified, and this certificate is not a certificate of participation but a significant recognition of your skills and dedication.