‘Social Protection Policy Will Address Conflict In Nigeria’

Director-general of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr Joseph Ochogwu, has said that social protection is a major policy instrument that will primarily address critical social issues in Nigeria.

Ochogwu made this declaration during the opening ceremony of the Conference on Social Protection and Economic Uncertainties, organised by the Conflict Research Network West Africa (CORN) in partnership with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja yesterday.

He said from 2015 to the present day, social protection has become a significant policy instrument that the Nigerian federal government uses to tackle the issues of inequality across the country.

“For our studies, the strategic conflict assessment of Nigeria and several other studies have identified poverty and unemployment as the major drivers of conflict across the country,” he said.

Ochogwu noted that social protection fosters an inclusive process, ensuring the inclusion of the vulnerable in governance.

He, however, noted that there is a wide gap between policies, research policies and their actual implementation.

Also, the development director of the British High Commission, Chris Pycroft, said, “In Nigeria over the last decade, the social protection architecture has advanced significantly at both federal and state levels.”

UNICEF country representative, Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, stated that, “Our commitment to Nigeria remains steadfast. Our work in this country reflects our dedication to supporting the most vulnerable, particularly in conflict-affected regions.

“We strive to ensure that these children receive the protection, education, healthcare, and nutrition they need through government-led social protection systems.”