UNICEF, Others Team Up To Expand Nigeria’s Social Protection System

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other Social Protection Development partners including Save the Children, Ministry of Finance, and others, have teamed up to redefine Nigeria’s poverty profile by expanding social protection.

At the opening ceremony of a two-day policy and programmatic dialogue workshop on Nigeria’s poverty profile and social register, Cristian Munduate of UNICEF Nigeria said the purpose of the workshop was to align their understanding of poverty and vulnerability.

According to her, it also aims to expand Nigeria’s social register and establish a robust, inclusive, and responsive social protection system.

“Our goal is a Nigeria where all citizens, particularly women, children, and the disabled, have access to strong social protections and are not living on the edge of poverty.

“Amid global challenges such as oil price fluctuations, insecurity, socio-economic disparities, and pandemics like COVID-19, poverty is further gripping our people, indicating a dire need for effective social protection interventions. This meeting, hence, symbolizes hope for a future where every Nigerian feels recognized and safeguarded.

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“The essentiality of a comprehensive register to reach those most in need can’t be overstated. I’m grateful to the Social Protection Development Partners Group, our unwavering government, and NASSCO for strengthening the National Social Register, a significant step towards our goal,” she said.

Also speaking, the secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said poverty and vulnerability remain pressing challenges facing Nigeria.

Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Esuabana Nko-Asanye, said it was crucial to recognise the impact of the issues on Nigerians citizens.

Nigeria’s social inequalities, according to him, further exacerbate the situation, as access to essential resources such as food, education, healthcare, and infrastructure is unevenly distributed.

“Women, children, and persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups facing poverty, ill- health, and economic shocks.

“To address these challenges, the Social Protection Development Partner group, in partnership with the Nigerian government, has organized this two-day policy dialogue with the primary objectives of developing a common understanding of poverty and vulnerability in Nigeria, identifying key indicators for measuring poverty and vulnerability, and devising strategies to strengthen the National Social Registry,” he stated.