…participates in a Work-Plan Session for Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria Project
Abia State participated in the three-day closed work-plan session under the European Union funded Support to Sustainable Social Protection Systems Strengthening in Nigeria project held on the 11th -13th November 2024 at the Rockview Royale Hotels in Abuja.
The project is implemented by UNICEF, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization, and hinges on the commitment of the Federal Government to strengthen and enhance the shock-responsiveness of the social protection system at the Federal and State levels.
The workshop brought together delegates from essential Social Protection coordinating and implementing MDAs in selected states which includes Abia, Benue, Oyo and Sokoto with an aim to develop a project work plan for the states, provide an understanding of the various components of the project as well as foster collaborative engagement and cross-sectoral learning.
Social Protection is a mix of policies and programmes designed for individuals and households throughout their life cycle to prevent and reduce poverty and socioeconomic shocks by promoting and enhancing sustainable livelihoods and a life of dignity.
To ensure swift and smooth implementation of the programme, there is a need to put in place the required infrastructure, clear institutional framework, and strengthen the relevant capacity of the state.
The overall objective of the Action is to ensure more people living in Nigeria have increased access to social protection during shocks.
It is expected that by 2026, the Social Protection System is shock responsive at the Federal and state level with a reinforced policy framework and a financial mechanism integrated in the national budget and planning efforts.
It seeks to achieve a strengthened and functional National Social Register (NSR) expanded to integrate more poor and vulnerable people, an improved capacity of staff and policy makers at the National and State level on social protection, a strengthened national and State social protection policy and legal framework with the development of a social protection policy and bill, aimed at realizing the rights to social protection for consideration by the National and State Assembly; as well as an enhanced Social Protection Management Information System that is interoperable at the vertical, horizontal level and across social sector – health and education MIS
To achieve this the MDA’s will design and implement a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient social protection system in Nigeria that effectively supports vulnerable populations. Understand the current social protection landscape in Nigeria, identify gaps, and analyse needs. Expand and improve on existing social protection programs to ensure they are inclusive, equitable and targeted. Increase public understanding of the social protection programs thus ensuring broader participation and support and develop mechanisms that ensure adequate resource management for long term implementation through effective monitoring/evaluation and accountability to stakeholders.
Consequently, the outcomes will create a resilient social protection system that is inclusive, sustainable, achievable and supports the vulnerable subsets of the population, which will in turn contribute to a broader socio-economic development goal.
The Abia State 12-man delegate led by the Hon. Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix also had the Special Adviser on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation Mrs Ifeoma Thomas, and representation across critical MDAs including Budget and Economic Planning, Health, Tertiary Education, Basic and Secondary, Women Affairs, Agriculture, Health Insurance Agency, State Operations Coordinating Unit, Office of the Statistician General.
Highlights of the event includes the recognition of The Executive Governor of Abia State Dr Alex Chioma Otti who has shown commitment to social protection, which is evident in the creation of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection.
The draft state work plan for the project is expected to be finalised early in the new year and will be closely followed by a wider critical stakeholder engagement, before adoption.
