Sokoto State Government Praised for Social Protection Programs by EU and UNICEF

The European Union (EU), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and International Labour Organisation (ILO) have praised the Sokoto State Government for its social protection programs. They also encouraged the State House of Assembly to improve how it oversees the budget.

Chioma Osuji, the EU Programme Manager on Social Protection in Nigeria, shared these views during a meeting with members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly. She highlighted the importance of having a social protection committee in the Assembly and including social protection in the state budget. These steps are seen as vital for helping poor and vulnerable residents.

Osuji noted that this is the first time the Assembly has facilitated such initiatives, which will help sustain projects backed by development partners. She expressed hope that the state government would eventually take full control of these efforts.

Michael Juma, the Head of the EU Field Office in Sokoto, emphasized the need for effective use of public resources. He said that improving the skills of lawmakers would allow them to better review laws, policies, and budget implementation. Juma praised the Assembly for adopting digital tools to enhance its operations.

He also mentioned that Sokoto has embraced program-based budgeting, which helps set clear targets and improves accountability. He urged the Assembly to ensure that funds are used as intended, especially in the social sector, which has seen a budget increase for education.

Hon. Muhammad Bello Idris, the Majority Leader of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, affirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working with development organizations. He revealed that they are considering adding English and Mathematics to the Almajiri and Tsangaya education systems. Idris stated that the Assembly is looking for support to further digitize its activities.

This engagement is part of ongoing efforts by development partners and the Sokoto legislature to enhance social protection, improve budget processes, and boost legislative capacity for better service delivery.