Lagos, UNICEF partner to strengthen social protection

The Lagos State Government is reinforcing its commitment to developing a more resilient social protection system capable of effectively addressing economic, health, climate, and social shocks that impact vulnerable residents. This initiative is being advanced through a strategic partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

A recent three-day capacity-building workshop on Shock-Responsive and Adaptive Social Protection underscored this commitment. Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, emphasized that the training aimed to equip stakeholders with enhanced capabilities to deliver responsive and sustainable social protection interventions. She lauded UNICEF as a key ally in improving the welfare of women, children, and other vulnerable groups within Lagos State.

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This workshop is both timely and strategic.

"This workshop is both timely and strategic," stated Mrs. Ojo, highlighting the urgent need for Lagos to bolster its institutional capacity. This is crucial for anticipating, preparing for, and responding to shocks in a coordinated and sustainable manner, especially as governments globally grapple with economic downturns, inflation, health emergencies, climate disasters, and social disruptions that disproportionately affect impoverished households.

Mr. Muhammed Okorie, UNICEF’s Social Policy and Programme Manager, addressed the increasing frequency and intensity of shocks affecting households, from economic volatility and public health crises to flooding, climate change, and food insecurity. He stressed that existing social protection systems must evolve to become more adaptive, enabling rapid responses to emerging challenges. Okorie noted that adaptive social protection allows governments to improve planning, targeting, and benefit delivery, ensuring vulnerable populations receive timely support during crises. The Lagos State Single Social Register is identified as a vital tool for identifying these households and enhancing intervention targeting.

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From economic volatility to public health emergencies, flooding, climate change, and food insecurity, households, especially those that are poor and vulnerable, are exposed to risks that can quickly erode their livelihoods and push them deeper into poverty.