The Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and development partners, have emphasised the critical need to strengthen the social protection system to address growing poverty.
This is contained in a communiqué jointly endorsed by UNICEF Representative, Ms. Cristian Munduate, EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Ms. Samuela Isopi, and Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of The Economy, Mr Wale Edun.
The communiqué was issued in Abuja on Saturday at the end of the 3rd Edition of the Social Protection Cross Learning Summit.
According to the communiqué, 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.
It noted that the situation underscored the urgency for comprehensive and effective social protection strategies.
“In response to these challenges, the federal government introduced a cash transfer programme, providing N25,000 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,” the communiqué said
Earlier in an address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Edun, emphasised the importance of integrated social protection systems.
Edun said the government was committed to ensure access to social protection for all and remove the barriers that people face in accessing these services.
“As a result, the government is engaged to implement with the support from relevant stakeholders, including the Social Protection Development Partner Group, the agreed action points from the summit,” he said.
Also, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Munduate, on behalf of the Social Protection Development Partners Group, said that social protection was crucial in realising the rights of every child.
She said that Child-sensitive social protection was key to ensure that every child reached his or her full potential.
“There is a need to ensure stronger linkages between social protection and essential social services with focus on health, education, and nutrition.
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“In of spite advancements, social protection coverage remains low, with only seven per cent 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,” she said. (NAN)
