The Lagos State Government has announced an increase in its budgetary allocation for social protection, raising it from ₦130 billion in 2025 to ₦170 billion in 2026. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Sam Egube, revealed this at a one-day stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos, themed “Advancing Social Protection through the National Social Register: A Resilient Tool for a Resilient Nigeria.”
According to Egube, the increment underscores the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable residents. “Governor Sanwo-Olu remains dedicated to improving the lives of Lagosians, particularly the most vulnerable. The state has strengthened the National Social Register (NSR) to guarantee that no one is left behind in social protection programmes,” he said.
Egube explained that Lagos had domesticated the operations of the NSR under the supervision of the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, and the Permanent Secretary, Olayinka Ojo. This, he noted, ensures all residents, especially vulnerable households, are captured. Stressing that governance must be people-centered rather than data-driven, he called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to promote inclusion, compassion, and integration.
He also revealed that 22 state agencies, including the Ministries of Women Affairs, Youth, and Wealth Creation, as well as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, are currently engaged in delivering social protection initiatives at the grassroots.
During the event, Egube received the Champion of Care Award for Social Protection Implementation in Nigeria on behalf of Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was honoured as Champion of Compassion for his role in advancing welfare initiatives.
Speaking on the wider scope of social protection, the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Funmi Olotu, described the NSR as one of the largest social protection databases globally. As of August 31, 2025, the register had captured more than 19 million households nationwide, with 7.68 million household records updated across 36 states. Out of these, over 9.5 million National Identification Numbers (NINs) were recorded, with more than 8.3 million successfully validated.
Olotu emphasized that behind the figures are meaningful stories of change. “Mothers in rural areas, displaced households, and young Nigerians seeking opportunities are beginning to see a government that recognizes their struggles and is deliberate about supporting them,” she said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, Dr. Badamasi Lawal, stressed that social protection must be seen as a necessity given today’s economic realities.
The Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, reinforced this point, urging government to view social protection as a duty rather than benevolence. “Giving to the poor is not charity, it is social responsibility,” he stated. Similarly, Senator Idiat Adebule described the NSR as the backbone of Nigeria’s efforts to deliver aid transparently and with dignity.
The event drew participants from federal and state governments, civil society, development partners, traditional rulers, and members of the Lagos State Executive Council. Other awardees included Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who received the Social Protection Leadership Award, and Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago.
