By Ishola Balogun
In a rustic wealthy in sources but burdened by inequality, the specified change can solely start when empathy meets motion, and when leaders are keen to cry for the folks they serve to vary their state of affairs.
On the Nationwide Social Security-Nets Coordinating Workplace, NASSCO at some point stakeholder engagement held on the Eko Lodge and Suites lately, which transcended politics and coverage, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State acknowledged how he cried over the the plight of the almajiris in his state.
The tears not essentially out of despair, however from witnessing the quiet triumphs of the weak. He recounted how a modest stipend of N5,000, pooled by road kids and individuals with disabilities, birthed small companies and restored dignity. A few of them crafted pairs of sneakers and introduced them to the Governor’s workplace—a gesture so profound it moved him to tears.
Governor Sule who was a visitor of honour on the occasion painted a vivid image of hardship, resilience, and the pressing want for collaborative motion.
Based on him: “Nasarawa is a state wealthy in strong minerals. It should appeal to buyers and pursue what’s finest for Nigeria. Tony Elumelu captures this imaginative and prescient nicely—emphasizing that poverty eradication or discount, and steady help for the weak, shouldn’t relaxation solely on the federal government but in addition on the non-public sector and people who can afford to assist.
“I had the chance to reside in Lagos for six years as a Managing Director. Throughout that point, I witnessed quite a few interventions. In the present day, I’ve the privilege of governing one of many states most affected by poverty. If you know the way to acknowledge excessive poverty, you will notice it. Go to a few of our villages—you may really feel it, contact it, and meet folks dwelling in actual hardship.
“I’ve encountered impactful interventions, particularly via the collaboration between the Dangote Basis and the Invoice & Melinda Gates Basis. I’ve seen firsthand how the Gates Basis operates. One key initiative is the institution of a social register, much like what the Director-Basic of NASSCO is implementing.
“In Nasarawa State immediately, now we have reviewed our social register as of July this 12 months, figuring out 570,000 households. That interprets to 1.9 million people in a state with a inhabitants of about 3 million. That is why, at any time when there is a chance to associate with the World Financial institution on poverty discount, we’re all the time proactive.
“Let me share an instance of what we’ve performed. After I grew to become Governor in 2019, having come from the non-public sector, I used to be struck by the variety of Almajiris and folks with disabilities on the streets. We started by amassing their knowledge and recognized about 4,000 people. We requested ourselves: how a lot can we offer month-to-month to assist them enhance their well-being?
“We settled on N5,000—a modest quantity that will not imply a lot in Lagos, but it surely was a begin. What moved me deeply was how some recipients pooled their month-to-month stipends in a system they referred to as “Attashe,” giving the total quantity to at least one particular person every month to begin a enterprise. Some started making sneakers—they even made a pair for me and introduced them to my workplace. I used to be so moved, I shed tears. I couldn’t consider what they’d achieved.
“We expanded this system, and plenty of beneficiaries, particularly ladies within the markets, ventured into completely different companies. Some even got here collectively to construct boreholes to generate earnings. We began with N5,000, elevated it to N7,000, and now we’re at N10,000. In the present day, about 6,000 folks profit from this initiative month-to-month. Our biggest pleasure is seeing the tangible influence on their lives.
Relating to the financial reforms of President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu—having labored within the oil and gasoline sector because the MD of a number one advertising firm, I perceive the hazards of gasoline subsidies. I consider the President made the correct choice in eradicating the subsidy. I additionally perceive the challenges posed by international trade. Throughout my time with Dangote, we needed to import uncooked supplies like salt and sugar utilizing {dollars}. With the naira now floating, these two main selections are among the many finest the President has made.
I opposed VAT enhance to save lots of Tinubu
“Nevertheless, each choice comes with penalties. These reforms have created new challenges for a lot of Nigerians. Costs have surged, prompting the World Financial institution to reassess its methods and forcing governors to re-plan. Whereas we commend the President for his daring steps, we should additionally acknowledge the difficulties they’ve triggered.
I used to be among the many few governors who opposed the proposed tax reforms. I raised two key issues—significantly the rise in VAT from 7% to 10%. At a time when the nation confronted a 32% inflation price—42% in states like Borno, Nasarawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara—such a transfer would have been devastating. The success of NASSCO immediately won’t have been potential had that call gone via.
I wish to thank Mr. President for listening to us and reversing the choice. VAT stays at 7%. I additionally thank the Nationwide Meeting for his or her help. Those that misunderstood our place thought we had been opposing the President, however in actuality, we had been defending his imaginative and prescient. In the present day, inflation has dropped to round 22%. These are a number of the achievements we’re pleased with.
Nigeria’s social register hits 70m — Dr Olotu, NASSCO boss
Earlier, addressing individuals on the convention, the Director-Basic of the Nationwide Social Security Nets Coordinating Workplace (NASSCO), Dr Funmi Olotu stated that the Nigeria Social Register, NSR, has expanded to over 19 million households and 70 million people, positioning it among the many largest social safety databases globally.
She acknowledged that underneath her management, since April 2025, NASSCO has built-in over 9.1 million Nationwide Identification Numbers (NINs) into the Register, with 8.4 million efficiently validated—a feat that eclipses earlier nationwide efforts which struggled to achieve even 5% success.
“In simply 4 months, now we have reached a major milestone that demonstrates how far now we have are available strengthening Nigeria’s social safety programs via know-how and knowledge,” Olotu declared. “Every of those steps brings us nearer to our imaginative and prescient: a Nigeria the place social safety shouldn’t be an aspiration, however a lived actuality.”
The convention additionally spotlighted emergency response successes, together with swift assist deployment to displaced households in Benue’s Yelwata group and proactive flood threat mitigation via the Motion Committee on Flood-Inclined Communities.
“As we collect right here immediately, I’m excited to mirror on the progress now we have made thus far. As of August thirty first, 2025, a complete of Seven million, 600 and eighty-one thousand, 9 hundred and Thirty-Three (7,681,933) up to date family information have been acquired from 36 states and the FCT. From these households, 9 million, 5 hundred and Ninety thousand, forty-three (9,590,043) NINs had been reported, out of which 9 million, 100 and forty-two thousand, 4 hundred and
Twenty-Three (9,142,423) NINs have been shared with NIMC, and thus far, eight million, 300 and ninety-seven thousand, seven hundred and two (8,397,702) NINs have been efficiently validated. It is a exceptional breakthrough, contemplating that earlier nationwide efforts to combine NINs into the Social Register had struggled to attain even 5% success. In simply 4 months, now we have now reached a major milestone that demonstrates how far now we have are available strengthening Nigeria’s social safety programs via know-how and knowledge.
“Every of those steps brings us nearer to our imaginative and prescient: a Nigeria the place social safety shouldn’t be an aspiration, however a lived actuality. By March 2026, we intention to attain full verification and NIN integration for each family within the Register, closing the gaps, eliminating duplication, and guaranteeing that each naira spent delivers influence the place it issues most.”
Elumelu requires international help
In a compelling present of help for Nigeria’s poverty alleviation efforts and the NASSCO initiative of President Bola Tinubu, the Chairman of UBA Holdings, Tony Elumelu, emphasised the significance of collective motion through the current NASSCO stakeholder engagement. He acknowledged: “Elumelu Basis may be very happy to affiliate and associate with NASSCO. Let me use this chance to name on the non-public sector, businessmen, international companions, the World Financial institution to rally, come collectively so that every one of us can collectively help in a tangible method the initiative of President Bola Tinubu to cut back poverty in Nigeria.”
Honoring Champions of Compassion
The occasion wasn’t nearly speeches—it was a celebration of influence. Governor Sule acquired the Social Safety Management Award for his unwavering dedication to inclusive governance. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was additionally honored, along with his Deputy Chief of Employees, Mr. Sam Egube, receiving the award on his behalf. Governor Sanwo-Olu set new requirements in social safety governance by implementing quite a few people-centred programmes, strengthening inclusion and expanded the protection web for thousands and thousands. Niger State’s Governor Umaru Bago was acknowledged for increasing security web programmes that help the poor and weak.
Award presentation
Presentation of awards He be sure that each citizen has entry to important providers and alternatives and help . He was given the the social safety management awards.Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu was as for his unwavering dedication to social safety and distinctive responsiveness to the necessity of the folks of Lagos. His management units a swinging instance of governance that actually cares concerning the folks. The award was acquired on his behalf by his deputy chief of workers, Mr Sam Egube
Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State acquired the Nationwide Social Safety Award from NASSCO on the Stakeholder Engagement Convention held on September 8, 2025, in Lagos.
The award, acquired on his behalf by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba and SOCU Coordinator Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu, acknowledges Niger State’s sturdy dedication to social safety and inclusive governance. Governor Bago was additionally recommended for increasing security web programmes that help the poor and weak.
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