Lagos govt increases social protection funding, strengthens NSR implementation

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to raise its budgetary allocation for social protection programmes from N130 billion in 2025 to N170 billion in 2026, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of vulnerable residents.

The assurance was delivered by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement themed “Advancing Social Protection through the National Social Register (NSR)” held in Lagos.

Mr. Egube, who also received the Champion of Care Award for Social Protection Implementation in Nigeria on behalf of the governor, commended President Bola Tinubu for repositioning the NSR as a credible platform for delivering interventions.

According to him, Lagos has domesticated the operations of the NSR under the supervision of the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, to ensure all residents particularly the vulnerable are captured.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu remains dedicated to improving the lives of Lagosians, especially the most vulnerable. The state has strengthened the NSR to guarantee that no one is left behind in social protection programmes,” Egube said.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office, Ms. Funmi Olotu, revealed that the NSR has become one of the largest social protection databases globally, with over 19 million heads of households and individual members captured. She added that the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) had made the system more reliable and inclusive.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Dr. Badamasi Lawal, stressed the necessity of social protection in Nigeria’s current economic climate.

“Social protection is not a choice but a necessity, given the realities of today,” he stated.

Also lending his voice, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, HRH Dr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, emphasised that social protection should be viewed as a duty of the state and society, rather than an act of benevolence.

The engagement drew participants from federal and state governments, civil society organisations, development agencies, traditional institutions, Community Development Associations, and senior officials of the Lagos State Executive Council.