The European Union (EU) and the Sokoto State Government have unveiled a new child-sensitive social protection model aimed at improving support for vulnerable households, especially children, across the state.
Funded by the EU’s €14 million Social Support for Social Inclusion programme, the initiative is being implemented by UNICEF and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system.
Speaking at the launch in Sokoto, UNICEF Deputy Representative Rownak Khan noted that while Nigeria has made progress in social protection, child poverty remains widespread and multidimensional. She explained that beyond income, many children face overlapping challenges such as lack of education, healthcare, nutrition, vaccination, and legal identity—issues with long-term consequences.
Under the new model, the National Social Register will be expanded to include indicators such as out-of-school children, nutrition status, health insurance coverage, birth registration, zero-dose immunisation, and vulnerability to shocks. Officials say this will improve planning, service delivery, and grievance redress, particularly in high-poverty local government areas.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu reaffirmed the state’s commitment to pioneering innovative social protection reforms and pledged continued support for the programme.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Michael Juma, added that the initiative would serve as a template for replication in other states, with strong community participation to ensure no household is left behind.
EU officials at the event reiterated their commitment to improving outcomes for children and vulnerable families, expressing confidence that the model will deliver measurable and lasting impact.
