Sokoto govt, 23 LGAs move to boost social protection funding

Sokoto State Government and the 23 local government councils have pledged to strengthen funding for social protection programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of vulnerable residents.

The commitment was made at a one-day policy dialogue on social protection financing involving the state government and local government chairmen in Sokoto.

Speaking at the meeting held at Sokoto Guest Inn, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Achida, said the government had developed a social protection policy document to guide the implementation of interventions across the state.

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He said the document would help identify priority areas and ensure that programmes designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability were effectively implemented in line with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s Nine-Point SMART Agenda.

“Social protection has come to stay in Sokoto State and Nigeria at large. We must therefore rise to the occasion and work collectively to ensure that our people enjoy a life of dignity,” Achida said.

The commissioner described the dialogue as an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop innovative approaches to improving the state’s socio-economic development.

He emphasised the importance of local governments in delivering social protection interventions, noting that development efforts must begin at the grassroots.

Achida also commended the 23 local government chairmen for their commitment and acknowledged the contributions of the European Union, UNICEF and other development partners to social protection and child survival programmes.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, assured that the councils would make budgetary provisions for social protection interventions.

Tambuwal pledged the chairmen’s support for the effective implementation of the programmes and commended Achida for his efforts to improve the state’s economy.

Also speaking, UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Malam Isah Ibrahim, said Sokoto was among four states receiving European Union support for social protection interventions.

He attributed the EU’s interest in the state to the commitment demonstrated by the governor, the Sultanate and local government chairmen.

“The EU believes Sokoto State has the potential to become a model that other states can visit to learn from its social protection initiatives,” Ibrahim said.

He added that the EU was considering increased financial investment in Nigeria in 2027, with Sokoto among the states being considered for additional support.

Ibrahim commended the state government and the 23 local government councils for providing an enabling environment for development partners to operate.