CSOs Laud Federal Govt Over Social Protection Reforms

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have commended the federal government for ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system, particularly the implementation of cash transfer programmes for vulnerable Nigerians.

They called for deeper collaboration, greater transparency and improved accountability in the sector.

The commendation was made at the Second National Advisory Working Committee meeting organised by the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) with support from the European Union-funded Social Protection Project, The Act Naija, in Abuja, yesterday.

At the meeting, ANEEJ executive director, David Ugolor, praised the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction for implementing reforms designed to improve the delivery of social protection interventions, particularly cash transfer programmes targeted at vulnerable households.

He stressed the importance of building a social protection system that is transparent, accountable, inclusive and responsive to the needs of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

According to Ugolor, the project has recorded significant progress across the seven participating states and the Federal Capital Territory through extensive community engagement, capacity building for civil society organisations and strengthened monitoring of cash transfer programmes.

He said the interventions have enhanced citizen participation, improved transparency and generated evidence that will help shape future social protection policies.

Ugolor added that the National Advisory Working Committee has evolved into a strategic platform for providing policy direction, strengthening coordination among stakeholders and ensuring that recommendations from the project translate into tangible improvements in Nigeria’s social protection system.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola, said one of the project’s major achievements has been the advancement of social protection legislation at the state level.

She disclosed that a draft Social Protection Bill has been developed through consultations with relevant ministries and stakeholders and has reached the executive stage for consideration before being transmitted to the State House of Assembly as an Executive Bill.

Nwuchiola identified advocacy, research, citizen engagement and evidence generation as key milestones of the project, expressing optimism that the pilot initiative would be expanded to more states if it continues to achieve positive outcomes.

She reaffirmed the commitment of state legislators to working with relevant stakeholders to build a social protection system that leaves no one behind and improves the lives of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

Similarly, the European Union Programme Manager, Ms. Chioma Osuji, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building a more coordinated, transparent and accountable social protection system.

Describing effective social protection as an investment in human dignity, resilience and inclusive development, Osuji commended the progress made by the Federal Government and participating states in expanding social protection coverage.

However, Osuji identified weak coordination mechanisms, fragmented implementation across states, inadequate information sharing and poor alignment between federal and state actors as major challenges that must be addressed.

She stressed that stronger coordination, regular dialogue and sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations and development partners are critical to improving programme delivery and ensuring assistance reaches those who need it most.

Representing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the ministry’s Director, Garba Magaji, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to poverty reduction and social protection.

He said the ministry is working to reduce fragmentation, strengthen institutional collaboration and promote evidence-based interventions that will ensure humanitarian assistance and social protection programmes effectively reach vulnerable Nigerians.

Magaji also commended civil society organisations, development partners, legislators and the media for supporting the government’s reform efforts through advocacy, policy dialogue and accountability initiatives.

Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that sustained collaboration among government, civil society, development partners and lawmakers remains essential to building a more effective, transparent and inclusive social protection system capable of improving the welfare of millions of vulnerable Nigerians.