The European Union is urging the Nigerian government to step up its funding for social protection programs to alleviate poverty in the country. Massimo De Luca, the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the importance of social protection as a vital support system for vulnerable communities. The recent Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit in Abuja highlighted the significance of investing in social protection for human capital development.
De Luca pointed out that social protection plays a crucial role in providing safety nets for essential services like education, health, and nutrition, contributing to economic stability and inclusive growth. With statistics showing a significant percentage of the population living in poverty, the EU is committed to collaborating with the Nigerian government to address these issues.
Furthermore, the EU is pledging €46 million to support Nigeria’s social protection sector, focusing on system strengthening and the design of social safety net programs. The intervention aims to enhance the social protection system and implement safety net programs in states affected by climate change in the North East.
