From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
More than 120,000 Nigerians, primarily children and caregivers, have benefitted from the Expanding Social Protection for Inclusive Development (ESPID) project, implemented in four states.
During the ESPID close-out and dissemination event held at Riez Continental Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday, Magdalene Lagu, Head of Governance and Stability at the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), noted that the £4.7 million project, launched in August 2021, was implemented by Save the Children International, UKAid, and Action Against Hunger across Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, and Kaduna states.
“We are delighted to report that this project, with the support of various stakeholders, has improved the lives of over 120,000 Nigerians, especially children, caregivers, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, lifting many from extreme poverty,” Lagu said.
Duncan Harrey, Country Director of Save the Children International (SCI), praised federal and state governments for their cooperation, while Meklit Misganaw, Country Director of Action Against Hunger, urged state governments to sustain the ESPID project to reduce poverty, maternal mortality, and ensure sustainable development.
Victor Ogharanduku, ESPID Senior Social Protection Specialist, highlighted two key outcomes: increased government delivery of inclusive, shock-responsive social protection, and enhanced citizen engagement in social protection design, monitoring, and accountability. He also noted challenges, including declining political will and rising poverty.
Adamu Muhammad Garun Gabas, representing the Jigawa State Government, expressed gratitude to the FCDO for including Jigawa and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sustaining ESPID’s achievements.