Beatrice Gondyi
The Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other partners has emphasized the critical need for a strengthened social protection system to address the pressing issues of poverty.
This was disclosed at the 3rd edition of the Social Protection Cross Learning Summit Friday, 28th June 2024.
Issuing a press release, UNICEF stated that the aim is to create a comprehensive support network that addresses the multifaceted needs of children and families, ultimately leading to improved outcomes in health, education, and overall well-being.
The UN Agency said that Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, faces significant challenges in human capital development, and deprivations in health, education, nutrition, water, hygiene, sanitation, and child protection. This situation underscores the urgency for comprehensive and effective social protection strategies.
“In response to the challenges, the Government of Nigeria introduced a cash transfer programme, providing 25,000 Naira over a three-month period to poor and vulnerable households. This initiative aims to alleviate immediate economic pressures and mitigate the socio-economic impact of recent economic reforms.
“Our goal is to create a comprehensive support network that addresses the multifaceted needs of children and families, ultimately leading to improved outcomes in health, education, and overall well-being. We must work together to bridge gaps and strengthen coordination,” said Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, emphasizing the importance of integrated social protection systems.”
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, on behalf of the Social Protection Development Partners Group, stated that, “Social protection is crucial in realizing the rights of every child. Child-sensitive social protection is key to ensuring that every child reaches their full potential.
“We commend the Government for significant strides for the development of several programs and a single registry. However, there is a need to ensure stronger linkages between social protection and essential social services with focus on health, education, and nutrition.”
Despite advancements, social protection coverage remains low, with only 7 percent of children covered. Coordination mechanisms are weak, leading to fragmentation and inefficiency. Therefore, the summit aims to generate actionable insights and foster collaboration among key players to enhance coverage, coordination, and financing of social protection interventions.
promote equitable development.
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