ActionAid and the EU launch $2.5 million project to strengthen social protection in local and local communities

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), through the support of the European Union, on Friday launched the EU Support for Strengthening Social Protection in Nigeria, (ESSPIN) project to improve social protection programs in the country.

The three-year project with an investment of about $2.5 million will be implemented in 96 local government areas in Abia, Benue, Oyo and Sokoto states.

The project is expected to reach 126,000 people, of which 69,301 are women.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Dr. Atiku Bagudu, during the official launch of the ESSPIN project by ActionAid and its partners in Abuja.

He said the aim of the initiative is to fill existing gaps in the national social protection register.

The minister, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr. Sampson Ebimaro, said the project aimed to address identified gaps in Nigeria’s social protection policy.

He said Nigeria should enter the era of development and investment. We cannot continue to give alms and humanitarian aid.

He praised the EU, ActionAid and other development partners for the initiative.

He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the effective and impactful implementation of the programme.

Representative of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS Chioma Osuji in her speech said the project is part of the European Union’s US$46 million support to Nigeria’s social protection system under the Multiannual Indicative Program 2021-2027.

He said: “The $2.5 million project was signed in December and is expected to last three years, from 2026 to 2028.

“The project aims to increase public trust and participation in the National Social Register process, promote better inter-agency collaboration and improve the effectiveness and use of the National Social Register.”

ActionAid Country Director, Dr Andrew Mamedu, assured that ActionAid will work with local partners Okaha Women and Children Development Organization (OWACDO) and the Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) to implement the project at the community level.

He said the ESSPIN project has established 16 Social Register Action Teams (SoRATs) that will serve as independent citizen monitoring structures within the social protection system.

According to him, the ESSPIN project pursues two objectives, including rebuilding public trust in the National Social Register and strengthening the coordination and accountability systems that determine how it is used.

He also said ESSPIN aims to support the expansion and strengthening of Nigeria’s National Social Register (NSR) to improve national planning and poverty reduction efforts.

Overall, the project is designed to improve the effectiveness and use of NSR in policy development, planning and delivery of social protection services, in line with existing initiatives led by government, private sector and development partners.