Social Inclusion: Lagos Seeks Deeper Partnerships to Protect Vulnerable Residents

As part of efforts to tackling poverty and foster prosperity, Lagos State Government on Wednesday reaffirmed her commitment to strengthen the social protection system and called for stronger collaboration among development partners, civil society organisations, academia, NGOs, and the private sector to safeguard vulnerable residents.

L-R: Executive Secretary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs. Rasheedat Daranijo; Director, Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPDC), Mr. Yusuf Olanrewaju; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), Mrs. Olayinka Ojo; Social Policy Manager, UNICEF, Mr. Muhammad Okorie; immediate past Director of SPCD and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Audit Service Commission, Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbaadeen-Adedeji and UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong during the launch of the Lagos State Social Protection Report 2025 at the Social Protection Partners’ Forum, organised by MEPB in collaboration with UNICEF, held at the Dover Hotel in Ikeja, on Wednesday.

The call was made at the Lagos State Social Protection Partners’ Forum, organised by the Social Protection Coordinating Department of Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, MEPB  in collaboration with UNICEF at the Dover Hotel, Ikeja, on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Forum which also witnessed the unveiling of the Lagos State Social Protection Report 2025, MEPB Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, described social protection as “not a privilege, but a right,” stressing that coordinated action remains critical to addressing poverty and inequality across the state.

The Partners’ Forum serves as a platform for shared learning, strategic dialogue, and co-creation of solutions aimed at strengthening Lagos State’s social protection ecosystem and ensuring that investments translate into measurable improvements in residents’ lives.

Mrs. Ojo noted that with an estimated population of over 20 million and rapid urbanisation, Lagos faces growing social and economic vulnerabilities that demand data-driven, sustainable, and inclusive interventions.

She highlighted key milestones achieved by the State, including the development of the Lagos State Social Protection Policy aligned with the National Social Protection Policy; the institutionalisation of a Social Protection Coordinating Department; the implementation of programmes such as Conditional Cash Transfers and Lagos CARES; and the ongoing development of a comprehensive Social Register covering all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

“With over 20 socio-functional MDAs implementing more than 90 social interventions and over N140 billion in budgetary allocations, there is a clear need for stronger coordination among partners to maximise impact and eliminate duplication,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary further urged stakeholders to prioritise programme integration, data digitalisation, sustainability in planning and budgeting, and meaningful inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

L-R: Director, Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPDC), Mr. Yusuf Olanrewaju; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), Mrs. Olayinka Ojo; Social Policy Manager, UNICEF, Mr. Muhammad Okorie; immediate past Director of SPCD and the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Audit Service Commission, Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbaadeen-Adedeji and Barrister Clara Ndive of Clara Ndive & Co. during the launch of the Lagos State Social Protection Report 2025 at the Social Protection Partners’ Forum, organised by MEPB in collaboration with UNICEF, held at the Dover Hotel in Ikeja, on Wednesday.

Also speaking at the forum, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, commended the Lagos State Government for its leadership in strengthening social protection systems anchored on dignity, equity, and inclusion.

Ms. Eyong emphasised the need for gender-responsive social protection systems, noting that women, particularly those in the informal sector remain disproportionately vulnerable to poverty, economic shocks, and limited access to social insurance.

“In Nigeria, fewer than one in ten people are covered by at least one form of social protection, and over 70 per cent of working women are in the informal sector. Gender-disaggregated data and inclusive digital access are critical to ensuring that no one is left behind,” she stated.

She reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting federal and state governments in advancing gender-responsive planning and budgeting, as well as policies such as affirmative procurement that expand economic opportunities for women.

Reaffirming UNICEF’s support for effective planning and implementation of social protection policies in Lagos and across Nigeria, the organisation’s Social Protection Specialist, Mr. Muhammed Okorie, commended the State Government’s grassroots mobilisation, partnerships, and funding efforts.

He added “Lagos is one of the states that has demonstrated that social protection goes beyond isolated interventions.”

In his goodwill message, Mr. Ademola Abere of Stanbic IBTC described the initiative as “a clear demonstration of responsible governance and a deep commitment to improving the welfare of the most vulnerable members of society by prioritising inclusion, dignity, and sustainable support.”