The European Union (EU), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), has officially launched a €13 million social protection initiative in Abia State, Nigeria. The project, titled Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria, aims to strengthen the state’s capacity to provide inclusive and resilient social safety nets for its most vulnerable populations.
The launch event, held at the Government House in Umuahia, was presided over by His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, who inaugurated the Abia State Social Protection Council. Governor Otti expressed deep appreciation to the EU for its continued support in advancing social and economic development across the state.
“This programme is designed to expand our reach and bring more people into the social safety net,” said Governor Otti. “Abia is committed to building a state where the basic welfare of every individual is catered for, regardless of their life circumstances.”
The €13 million initiative will be implemented from 2024 to 2027 across four Nigerian states, including Abia, and is expected to enhance the integration of poor and vulnerable households into the National Social Register. The project aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Abia’s New Roadmap for inclusive growth.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s social protection framework.
“This project complements our shared goals in education, health, gender equality, and economic development. Together with UNICEF and ILO, we are building a stronger and more resilient Abia and Nigeria,” Ambassador Mignot stated.
Dr. Vanessa Lerato Phala-Moyo, Country Director of the ILO for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, highlighted the collaborative approach of the programme, noting its alignment with Governor Otti’s vision for a socially inclusive Abia.
The initiative will be driven by key state institutions including the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, and the Abia State Senior Citizen Centre.