To strengthen social protection programs nationwide, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a ground-breaking collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The partnership, which aims to target disadvantaged populations and provide health insurance, has the potential to alleviate unemployment, health issues, and poverty—especially in the informal economy.
This strategic partnership demonstrates a dedication to enhancing individuals’ quality of life and creating a strong social safety net.
Let’s look at the implications of the partnership in this article.
Nigeria’s Federal Government and ILO Work Together to Strengthen Social Protection
Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, highlighted the value of social protection and its part in rescuing the country from poverty.
She reaffirmed that labor is an important ministry in charge of carrying out essential initiatives like social security.
Through the partnership with the ILO, the social protection strategy will be implemented more quickly, guaranteeing citizens’ access to security backed by the government.
Since no country can function without employment in both the formal and informal sectors, I want to reassure the ILO that we will adhere to the social protection vision.
We’re going to throw ourselves into it.
Based on its collaboration with the ILO and its deliverables, labor is a ministry to watch, according to Onyejeocha.
Opportunities and Difficulties for Social Protection
The difficulties encountered in putting social protection policies into practice were acknowledged by Mrs. Ngozi Anukwu, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Social Security Department.
The agency has actively pursued its fundamental duty of providing social security services despite impediments.
Anukwu stated that talks on Convention 102 were in progress before the departure of the previous administration’s former minister.
The urgent need to increase the coverage of social protection in Nigeria was highlighted by Dramane Batchabi, the Regional Social Protection Specialist, who was leading the ILO team. At the moment, just 17% of the populace gains from these initiatives.
Merely 11% of people in West Africa receive benefits from social protection.
Over 80 percent of Nigerians work in the informal economy, which makes it difficult for current social safety programs to reach them.
Techniques for All-Inclusive Social Protection
In Nigeria, social protection coverage is inadequate for many reasons, according to Batchabi.
These include poor investment, a lack of institutional coordination, and a failure to extend policies to the informal sector of the economy.
He underlined how the Ministry of Labor is in a unique position to handle these issues with the 2022 adoption of the National Social Protection Policy.
The expert recommended that by giving social insurance programs top priority through the National Social Insurance Trust Fund, the government might maximize its interventions.
For long-term progress, he advocated simplifying the disjointed social security system.
In light of the substantial financial resources needed for extending social protection programs, Batchabi underlined the necessity for cooperative efforts to develop sustainable financing sources while reiterating ILO’s commitment to assist Nigeria’s social protection efforts.
Federal Government Teams Up with ILO to Boost Social Protection in Nigeria
To sum up, the Federal Government of Nigeria’s cooperation with the International Labour Organization is a big step in the right direction toward strengthening social protection.
The cooperation tackles important issues like unemployment, health problems, and poverty in addition to demonstrating a dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals.
The Ministry of Labour’s resolve to hasten the adoption of social protection laws indicates a proactive stance towards guaranteeing the welfare of the Nigerian populace.
Finding sustainable financial sources for the extension of social security programs is a shared obligation of the government and ILO as they collaborate to conquer challenges.
With the support of the ILO and the National Social Protection Policy, this cooperative effort has a chance to fundamentally alter Nigeria’s social safety net system and offer stability and assistance to a larger population, particularly those employed in the private sector.
Nigeria’s Federal Government and ILO Collaboration to Expand Social Protection is a significant step forward for the welfare and development of the country.
