The Lagos State Government has allocated N140 billion for social protection programs in its 2026 budget, part of a larger N4.4 trillion budget focused on shared prosperity and inclusive growth.
Olayinka Ojo, permanent secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, who made this known at Lagos State Social Protection Partners Forum, said the investment is aimed at improving the lives of residents and ensuring no Lagosian is left behind in the state’s development agenda.
She reiterated the state’s commitment to improving livelihoods, saying, “Mr. Governor has emphasised his commitment to positively impacting the lives of Lagosians with over 20 social functional MDAs, 90 social interventions, and over 140 billion in budget allocation.”
Ojo noted that the budgetary allocation reflects the administration’s determination to build a coordinated social protection system that caters to vulnerable residents across all local governments and local council development areas.
She added that the state has made notable strides in creating frameworks to support its vulnerable populations, emphasising that Lagos stands out as the only state with a dedicated Social Protection Coordinating Department.
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Speaking also at the forum, Beatrice Eyong, UN Women country representative, emphasised the critical need for gender-responsive social protection systems, where fewer than one in ten people are covered by at least one form of social protection.
She commended Lagos for its leadership role in strengthening social protection systems that maintain inclusion. She highlighted the forum’s role as timely, which will help drive collaboration among the public and private sectors.
She noted that the situation in the country presents particular challenges, saying that women are more likely than men to live in poverty, especially in illiterate households, due to difficult access to civil, legal, land, trade and social insurance.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, she said over 70 percent of working women in Nigeria are in the poverty-informed states, with the population of immigrant households standing at 32 percent.
“If you calculate that, that would mean Nigeria has at least 40 million persons, boys and girls, men, inside those households,” she noted, warning that without intervention, poverty will continue to grow.
“We believe that social impact, gender equality and stronger inclusivity are the central issues of the country that need to be addressed,” she affirmed, pledging continued support for these vital initiatives.
Muhammad Okorie, social policy manager, UNICEF, commended the state’s vision for future economic growth anchored in social protection frameworks.
“When you think about the long term, then you’re already thinking about human capital development. You’re thinking about how you can build the next generation that drives us?” Okorie stated, emphasizing the connection between social protection and economic competitiveness.
He said, “While UNICEF supports social protection initiatives across all Nigerian states, Lagos has distinguished itself through its comprehensive grassroots approach. Lagos is one of those states that has actually shown that social protection goes beyond some of the social sectors.”
