The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance, Save The Children and other Social Protection Development partners have held a programmatic dialogue workshop to redefine Nigeria’s poverty profile by expanding social protection.
At the opening ceremony of the event held in Abuja, organised to discuss the Nation’s poverty profile and social register, UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate said the purpose of the workshop was to align their understanding of poverty and vulnerability.
According to her, the goal of the partners was to see a Nigeria where all citizens, particularly women, children, and the disabled, have access to strong social protections and are not living on the edge of poverty.
Munduate said the aim of the workshop was to also expand Nigeria’s social register and establish a robust, inclusive and responsive social protection system
“From Lagos to Sokoto, I have met individual like Tutu, a struggling single mother, and Umar, a child deprived of education, who personify the reality of our poverty statistics.
“As of 2022, 63 percent of our population faces deprivation, a disturbing figure that includes 70 million children.
“Amid global challenges such as oil price fluctuations, insecurity, socio-economic disparities, and pandemics like COVID-19, poverty is further gripping our people, indicating a dire need for effective social protection interventions. This meeting, hence, symbolizes hope for a future where every Nigerian feels recognized and safeguarded.
“The essentiality of a comprehensive register to reach those most in need can’t be overstated. I’m grateful to the Social Protection Development Partners Group, our unwavering government, and NASSCO for strengthening the National Social Register, a significant step towards our goal,” she said.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Esuabana Nko Asante, the Permanent Secretary office of the SGF, said that poverty and vulnerability remain pressing challenges facing Nigeria.
According to Esuabana , “Poverty and vulnerability remain pressing challenges in our country, and as we gather here today, it is crucial to recognise the impact of these issues on our fellow citizens. Despite progress in reducing poverty rates in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with new challenges, pushing approximately 63 per cent of our population into multi-dimensional poverty of which almost 70 million are children.
“This setback emphasises the urgency to strengthen our efforts in mitigating these issues and improving the lives of millions of Nigerians,” Nko-Asante said.
Speaking further, he said Nigeria’s social inequalities has further exacerbated the situation, as access to essential resources such as food, education, healthcare, and infrastructure are unevenly distributed.
“Women, children, and persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable groups facing poverty, ill- health, and economic shocks,” he said.
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