The National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) has called for stronger federal-state collaboration and broader multi-stakeholder partnerships to transform Nigeria’s social protection system into a unified, data-driven framework aimed at leaving no citizen behind.
Speaking on behalf of the Acting National Coordinator and CEO of NSIPA, Mr. Hamza Baba, National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), emphasized the urgency of a holistic, integrated approach. This approach combines federal policy reach, state-level agility, private sector innovation, and support from development partners, civil society, and traditional institutions.
“We must move beyond ad-hoc relief and build a holistic social protection system that ensures every Naira is purposeful, transparent, and directed to those who need it most,” Baba said.
NSIPA is prioritizing a unified framework that reduces duplication, aligns mandates, and harmonizes state laws with the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP). The agency will consolidate its flagship programmes, including:
- NHGSFP – National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme
- GEEP – Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme
- N-Power – Youth Skills Development and Employment
- CCT – Conditional Cash Transfer
- GVG – Graduate Volunteering Programme
- NASSCO – National Social Safety Corps
According to Baba, the key initiatives for achieving systemic impact include:
- Establishing State Social Investment Offices (SSIOs) to coordinate local implementation
- Leveraging Local Government structures for community verification, monitoring, and accountability
- Piloting joint federal-state financing models to ensure sustainable resource allocation
- Forging partnerships with the private sector, development partners, civil society, and traditional institutions
He also outlined two major targets of NSIPA which are attaining the feat of reaching out to 15million beneficiaries annually by 2027 whilst impact contribution to lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.
Baba emphasized that achieving these goals requires multi-stakeholder commitment and institutionalized systems, not ad-hoc interventions.
“Our vision is an integrated, accountable, and sustainable social protection system. We are calling on all partners to join this national effort,” he said.
A unified and data-driven social protection system will allow Nigeria to target resources efficiently and eliminate duplication, measure impact and track outcomes in real time, align state laws and programmes with national priorities and build a resilient framework capable of supporting long-term poverty reduction.
NSIPA, according to Baba is now inviting stakeholders; government, private sector, development agencies, civil society, and traditional leaders to participate in this transformative social protection agenda.
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!