The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), has unveiled a new €13 million initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system and reducing poverty among vulnerable households.
The project, known as the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria (SUSI), was launched on Wednesday in Umuahia, Abia State.
It will run until 2027 across four states, including Abia, with a focus on expanding safety nets and ensuring that families and children are not left behind.
Speaking at the launch, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Services, Judith Leveillee, described the project as a “springboard” for vulnerable groups.
“Social protection is not just a safety net. It is a springboard that allows people to live with dignity. This initiative will help children in remote communities, struggling mothers, the elderly, and people with disabilities rise above poverty,” she said.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the significance of the project, saying it was aligned with the EU’s broader goals of promoting education, health, gender equality, and inclusive growth.
“This is a 13 million euros funded project, implemented by UNICEF and ILO with support from the federal government. Social protection is at the heart of resilience and inclusive development. Families with access to safety nets are less likely to slide into deeper poverty during shocks,” he said.
Mignot also commended the Abia State Government for backing the programme, noting that the state ranked eighth in Nigeria’s 2022 multidimensional poverty index.
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He further handed over ICT equipment to support the integration of vulnerable households into the national social register.
ILO Country Director, Dr Vanessa Phala-Moyo, echoed the need to view social protection as a right.
“It is not charity, but dignity, safety, and hope. This programme ensures that the most vulnerable are supported, connected to opportunities, and shielded in times of crisis,” she said.
Governor Alex Otti, who inaugurated the Abia State Social Protection Council during the launch, pledged the state’s commitment to making the initiative succeed.
“The EU-funded SUSI initiative will enhance our capacity to expand social safety nets and bring more people into the fold. Abia State is fully prepared to provide the needed support to ensure this programme achieves its goals,” Otti said.
The SUSI project began in 2024 and is expected to run through 2027, reinforcing efforts to build stronger, more inclusive social protection systems in Nigeria.