The European Union on Saturday emphasized that the rising poverty levels in Nigeria can be addressed through robust financing of social protection initiatives.
Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, made this statement at the third edition of the Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit in Abuja.
He stressed that these interventions are essential for supporting the most vulnerable households, offering both a safety net and a beacon of hope.
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De Luca highlighted the urgency of reducing poverty nationwide, noting a World Bank report that estimates Nigeria’s poor population at 104 million.
“Investing in social protection is an investment in our collective future, fostering resilience, and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to society, regardless of background or location,” he stated.
The EU is contributing €46 million to Nigeria’s social protection sector from 2021 to 2027, aimed at strengthening systems and developing social safety nets. Partnerships with UNICEF and GIZ are being finalized to implement these projects in selected State.
The summit, themed “Social Protection Towards Human Capital Development,” was organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Social Protection Development Partner Group.