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From Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched an expanded social protection initiative aimed at integrating 250,000 additional households into the National Social Register (NSR), a move officials say will strengthen poverty-reduction efforts across the state.
The expansion, unveiled during a one-day orientation meeting for teams from seven pilot local governments, underscores the growing reliance on credible data to guide social investment decisions.
Sokoto State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Muhammad Zayyana, described the register as “a crucial document” that enhances transparency and allows both government and development partners to make evidence-based policy decisions.
He said that social protection aims to reduce social injustice, exclusion and insecurity while improving human capital development.
According to him, the government’s commitment to various social protection interventions, supported by development partners, would lead to measurable improvements in the state’s multidimensional poverty index.
The commissioner urged all stakeholders to work diligently, noting that the administration is prioritizing results that directly impact citizens’ lives.
Representing UNICEF, Social Policy Specialist Mr. Isah Ibrahim said the new multidimensional model of the NSR is designed to integrate deprived households into core services such as education, health, nutrition, birth registration, water and sanitation while providing a harmonized database that can be accessed by any approved poverty-intervention programme.
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“It is a single database of poor and vulnerable households and their deprivation status. The success of this expansion depends on strong cooperation with local government teams to ensure that the targeted 250,000 households are properly captured”
He outlined a revised community engagement approach aimed at strengthening inclusivity, transparency, and cross-sectoral planning.
Local government leaders have also thrown their weight behind the initiative. Chairman of Shagari Local Government, Barrister Maidawa Kajiji, speaking for the seven participating LGAs, commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and UNICEF for spearheading programmes that “will positively impact poverty reduction among poor and vulnerable populations.”
In a goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, praised the collaboration for bridging data gaps and harmonizing the state’s social register. He urged participants to give full support to the exercise.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the State Operations Coordinating Unit, Alhaji Chika Waziri Junaidu, said the meeting was designed to strengthen social protection systems and improve the welfare of citizens.
With the expanded register now underway, officials say Sokoto is positioning itself for more efficient, data-driven and equitable targeting of future poverty-alleviation programmes.
