Nigeria Moves to Close Social Protection Gaps with Better Data

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria is strengthening its social protection information systems to identify vulnerable populations more accurately, target public resources effectively and expand programmes that protect workers and families from poverty and economic shocks. The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and with support from the European Union (EU), is advancing nationwide efforts to improve the collection, coordination and use of social protection data for evidence-based policymaking and effective programme delivery.

The initiative addresses significant coverage gaps. Effective social protection coverage in Nigeria stands at 14.8 per cent, leaving millions of workers and families exposed to illness, unemployment, disability, and other economic risks.

Stakeholders from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) addressed these challenges at the National Social Protection Statistics Dialogue and Data Collection Engagement in Abuja. National and subnational Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, academia, civil society, workers’ and employers’ organizations and other stakeholders strengthened collaboration and advanced measures to improve social protection statistics nationwide.

Participants at the National Social Protection Statistics Dialogue and Data Collection Engagement in Abuja, which brought together stakeholders from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Through the EU-funded Supporting Sustainable Social Protection System in Nigeria (SUSI) project, the ILO and NBS have expanded capacity-building efforts beyond the four focal states of Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto to strengthen statistical capacity across all 36 states and the FCT. Reliable and disaggregated information enables policymakers to identify beneficiaries, locate excluded populations and direct interventions where people need them most. It also supports programmes that protect incomes, livelihoods, and wellbeing, particularly for informal economy workers, women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.

“Behind this figure are real families: mothers, workers in the informal economy, persons with disabilities and children who remain vulnerable to economic shocks,” said Dr Vanessa Phala, Director of the ILO Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS. She emphasized that timely, accurate and reliable data can help Nigeria close coverage gaps and reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting an inclusive social protection system.

The engagement also inaugurated the Social Protection Statistics Bulletin Committee to support the production and institutionalisation of an annual national Social Protection Statistics Bulletin. The Bulletin will identify coverage gaps, guide resource allocation and track progress while strengthening Nigeria’s reporting on Sustainable Development Goal Indicator 1.3.1, which measures the proportion of the population covered by social protection systems.

Dr Vanessa Phala and Prince Adeyemi Adeniran at the National Social Protection Statistics Dialogue and Data Collection Engagement in Abuja

The Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, stressed that stronger administrative data and coordination will help government assess programme performance, determine who receives support and identify underserved communities. NBS is also advancing the Social Protection Management Information System (SP-MIS) to strengthen data collection, validation and use and improve links among relevant government information systems. The system aims to reduce duplication and provide timely information on programme coverage and performance.

Stronger information systems will help government direct limited resources towards vulnerable communities and improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability. Effective social protection can help households withstand shocks, protect livelihoods, and sustain investments in health and education. By reducing vulnerability to sudden income losses, social protection can also strengthen workforce participation, productivity, and inclusive economic growth.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Chioma Osuji, Programme Manager highlighted the role of reliable evidence in designing programmes for women, men, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. She noted that stronger statistics can contribute to poverty reduction and human capital development.

Participants identified outstanding data gaps, designated institutional focal points, and agreed timelines for completing data compilation, strengthening coordination, institutional ownership, and data-management capacity at national and subnational levels.

Through collaboration among government institutions, the ILO, EU, UNICEF, workers’ and employers’ organizations, civil society, academia and other development partners, Nigeria is strengthening the evidence needed to expand social protection, protect vulnerable workers and families, advance decent work and support inclusive economic development.

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