The European Union, in support of the Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection Programme implemented by UNICEF, will assist in integrating one million poor and vulnerable households from four states into the National Social Register.
This initiative will enable them to have increased access to social protection programs managed by the federal government, states, and development partners.
Ibrahim Isa, Social Policy Specialist at UNICEF, stated this on Friday at a one-day Sokoto State Stakeholders Engagement on the Ongoing Review of the National Social Protection Policy and National Social Register Review held at Dankani Guest Palace, Sokoto.
The UNICEF-supported EU SUSI project covers Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto states, aiming to add 250,000 poor and vulnerable households in each state to the National Social Register by the end of the year.
UNICEF is currently collaborating with the National Social Safety Net Coordination Units (NASSCO) and the four states’ Coordinating Operations Units (SOCU) to mobilize stakeholders, particularly state and local government officials, community influencers, and household heads, to ensure the successful implementation of the program.
In Sokoto State, UNICEF aims to reach 3,041 communities and settlements not included in the last enrollment of poor and vulnerable households supported by the World Bank.
Sokoto State has one of the highest numbers of poor and vulnerable households, with 877,047 households registered in the national social register.
To facilitate the enrollment process, UNICEF is procuring 200 tablets, 200 power banks, three laptops, and other logistical support for the Sokoto State government through SOCU.
UNICEF appreciates the Sokoto State Government, led by His Excellency, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, for its commitment to social protection initiatives, including monthly cash transfers to persons with disabilities, school feeding programs, health insurance coverage for the formal sector, pension payments, and support for retired civil servants.
UNICEF calls on state and local governments to increase investment in and expand social protection programs to reach more poor and vulnerable households, especially those with children.
Additionally, UNICEF urges the state government to provide operational and logistical support to SOCU, as it currently lacks operational vehicles, unlike other EU-SUSI-supported project states.
UNICEF also emphasizes the need for the government to supplement the EU SUSI project by procuring additional equipment, such as tables and power banks, to equip the 216 enumerators conducting the registration across the state.
The European Union and UNICEF are collaborating to implement the Sustainable and Innovative Social Protection Programme, targeting one million poor and vulnerable households in four states through the National Social Register.
This initiative will enhance their access to social protection programs provided by the federal government, states, and development partners.
