From Oluseye Ojo, Ibadan
The Director of Conflict Research Network, West Africa (CORN), Dr. Tarila Marclint Ebiede, has urged President Bola Tinubu, to prevent the social protection policy from being hijacked by political interests.
Concerns have been raised that the operation of the crucial policy in Nigeria is at risk of political interference, capable of jeopardising the benefits it should provide to the vulnerable population.
Ebiede, who spoke at the first-ever conference organised by CORN, emphasised the need for more research on social protection to ensure transparency and effective utilization of funding. The conference, themed “Social Protection and Economic Uncertainties in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Societies,” took place in Abuja.
Professor Remi Aiyede, a political scientist at the University of Ibadan and also the Research and Policy Uptake Lead for the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR) in Nairobi, Kenya, further stressed the importance of targeting social protection measures towards the poorest individuals, rather than distributing them as patronage to party members.
Ebiede mentioned the findings of the conference, which indicated that while social protection has a positive impact, it is crucial to address the root causes of vulnerability, reiterating the need for a transparent social protection system, including the use of a social register.
He enjoined the government to implement sustainable economic programmes alongside social protection measures to address poverty effectively.
Professor Aiyede, in his keynote address titled “Social Protection in Times of Crisis,” criticised the insensitivity of government officials engaging in conspicuous spending while the majority of citizens suffer from hardship.
He emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to social protection that goes beyond cash transfers and encompasses social services, social assistance, social insurance, and social promotion in order to achieve shared prosperity and build an inclusive society.
During the conference, Chris Pycroft, the Development Director of the British High Commission, highlighted the effectiveness of social protection systems targeted towards those most in need. He stressed the importance of preventing individuals and communities from falling further behind through scaled-up measures.
To address the pressing issue of economic uncertainty in fragile and conflict-affected societies, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Cristine Munduate, called for the government’s support in defining social protection measures that meet the needs of the citizens.
The conference also witnessed the inauguration of a community of practice consisting of scholars and NGO practitioners committed to sustaining research on social protection in Nigeria. The community will be co-chaired by Dr. Saheed Owonikoko of Adama Modibo University and Mr. Victor Ogharanduku of Save the Children.
With the concerns raised by experts and the commitment to research, it was noted that Nigeria has an opportunity to ensure that its social protection policies are effective, transparent, and targeted towards the most vulnerable, mitigating the risks faced by its citizens and promoting inclusive development.