EU commits $14m to strengthen social protection system in Sokoto

From Shafa’atu Suleiman, Sokoto

The European Union (EU) has committed $14 million to support the strengthening of social protection policy, improve budgeting processes and establish a comprehensive social registry in Sokoto State under its Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) programme.

The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Massimo De Luca, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State. The delegation included officials from the EU Delegation in Abuja, UNICEF, UNFPA, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and development partners such as Plan International Nigeria, Action Against Hunger (ACF Nigeria), CARE and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

De Luca said the visit underscored the importance of investing in strong and inclusive social systems capable of protecting vulnerable populations.

In a statement issued at the end of the three-day visit, the EU said the $14 million funding would be used to strengthen social protection policy, improve public budgeting and establish a comprehensive social registry targeting children and families in need. Beneficiaries include those without birth registration or National Identification Numbers, out-of-school children, malnourished families and households with limited access to primary health care.

“A delegation from the European Union, the United Nations and key development partners has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Sokoto State Government to improve services for children, women, adolescents and vulnerable families,” the statement said.

During the visit, Governor Aliyu reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering essential services and sustaining development gains in the state.

“Our administration is committed to practical solutions that uplift our people—consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda and our state priorities,” he said. “We will continue to prioritise the well-being of women, children and vulnerable families and work with partners to sustain results.”

The delegation also assessed ongoing interventions in schools, primary health care centres, internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps and community-based service locations across the state.

At schools and community sites, the team observed efforts to improve safe learning environments, teacher support and community engagement aimed at expanding access to inclusive education.

“This visit has shown how critical it is to invest in systems that protect and empower people, especially children and young people,” De Luca said. “The EU remains committed to supporting Sokoto State to ensure inclusive development that leaves no one behind.”

UNICEF Deputy Representative (Programme), Rownak Khan, said the organisation’s focus in Sokoto remains on strengthening education, primary health care and adolescent services through EU-supported programmes.

“This is about helping families withstand shocks through social protection so that children not only survive but thrive,” Khan said.

The ILO Country Director noted that sustainable social protection depends on strong institutions and coordinated financing, adding that an interoperable social registry would significantly improve targeting and service delivery.

At primary health facilities, the delegation reviewed initiatives designed to make services more adolescent-friendly and gender-responsive.

UNFPA Nigeria’s Resident Representative emphasised the need for women and adolescents to have access to quality and respectful care close to their communities, while commending frontline health workers for their dedication.

Development partners also highlighted the importance of community participation in sustaining progress. CARE Nigeria’s Country Director said strengthening local leadership and accountability was crucial to ensuring services reach those most in need. Plan International Nigeria stressed the importance of safe and supportive learning environments for both girls and boys.

For displacement-affected communities, the DRC said coordinated, community-driven responses were essential for resilience and recovery, while ACF Nigeria pointed to the urgent need to address hunger and malnutrition worsened by conflict, climate change and natural disasters.

A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of a new tool designed to capture multiple dimensions of poverty for integration into the National Social Register under the EU-funded SUSI programme.

The mission concluded with a renewed joint commitment to support Sokoto State’s social and economic development agenda through strengthened partnerships and system-wide reforms.