ILO UNICEF Train Policymakers: Boosting Nigeria’s Social Protection Systems

By: Abudu Olalekan

ILO and UNICEF train Nigerian policymakers to strengthen social protection systems. Learn how capacity-building workshops aim to reduce poverty and build resilience.

Last week in Abuja, something big happened. Not the kind of thing you’d see on the news. No drama. No shouting. Just a quiet, two-day workshop where people actually tried to fix things. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF pulled together policymakers for a capacity-building session. Goal? Strengthen Nigeria’s social protection systems. You know, the safety nets that keep families from falling apart when life throws a punch.

Dr. Vanessa Phala, ILO’s Country Director for Nigeria, kicked things off. She didn’t use fancy jargon. Just straight talk. “We’re here to get social protection to more people,” she said. “Especially the ones hit hardest by economic shocks.” Think farmers who can’t plant because of drought. Or kids dropping out of school ‘cause money’s tight. That kind of stuff.

Phala called the partnership with UNICEF “laudable.” Not a word you hear every day. But it fit. She explained how the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) project isn’t just another report gathering dust. It’s tied to Nigeria’s development plans, the ILO’s “Decent Work” program, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Oh, and it lines up with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Basically? It’s supposed to make things work for real people.

“We want policymakers to build programs from a strong, informed place,” Phala said. “And we’re creating a network of ‘social protection champions.’ People who’ll push to get coverage to vulnerable Nigerians.” She also dropped a shoutout to the European Union. “Without the EU’s cash? We wouldn’t be here,” she admitted. “Big thanks to them.”

Why This Workshop Matters
Mrs. Franca Adukweh, Director of Social Protection at Nigeria’s Ministry of Labour and Employment, didn’t sugarcoat it. “This isn’t just another workshop,” she told the room. “It’s about building shared understanding. Technical skills. Real expertise.”

Social protection? It’s more than handouts. Adukweh called it “one of the most effective tools to cut poverty” and make sure “no one gets left behind.” She compared policymakers to “bridges between ideas and action.” Her message? “Come with open minds. Work together. Let’s get stuff done.”

Then came Ms. Zarema Yerzhanova, UNICEF’s Social Policy Manager. She kept it real. “Nigeria’s got huge potential,” she said. “But millions—especially kids—still face poverty, climate shocks, conflicts, health crises… you name it.”

Social protection, she argued, is “a smart investment.” Not just charity. “It boosts productivity. Builds human capital. Makes the whole country more resilient.” And like Phala, she thanked the EU. “They’ve got our backs,” she said. UNICEF, she promised, will keep working with Nigeria “to make social protection a reality for everyone.”

The Bigger Picture
Let’s be honest: Nigeria’s social protection systems are patchy. Some states have programs. Others? Not so much. The SUSI project tries to change that. It’s not about quick fixes. It’s about capacity. Teaching policymakers how to design, implement, and monitor programs that actually stick.

Phala put it bluntly: “We need innovation. Sustainability. Results on the ground.” No vague promises. She wants ministries and agencies to stop working in silos. “Collaborate,” she urged. “Share ideas. Build that network of champions.”

And why does this matter to you? Because social protection isn’t some abstract idea. It’s cash transfers for moms who can’t afford school fees. It’s healthcare for kids in rural villages. It’s training for workers hit by factory closures. When these systems work, families survive shocks. Kids stay in school. Communities don’t collapse.

The Road Ahead
The workshop ended with a sense of… cautious hope. Not everything’s fixed in two days. But you felt the momentum. Policymakers asked sharp questions. They swapped stories. They promised to keep talking.

Adukweh nailed it when she said: “Our role isn’t just policy papers. We’re the bridge to implementation.” Yerzhanova added: “Social protection is an investment. It pays off.”

So what’s next? The SUSI project keeps rolling. More training. More data. More pressure to actually get cash and services to the people who need them most. And if the EU keeps funding it? Even better.

Because here’s the thing: Nigeria needs this. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Now. When the next crisis hits—whether it’s flood, conflict, or inflation—strong social protection systems could be the difference between chaos and community.