The European Union (EU) has called on the federal and state governments to increase financing for social protection interventions, insisting that it is critical to reducing poverty across the country.

The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Massimo De Luca, made this call at the weekend during the third edition of the Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit (SPECS) in Abuja.

He described social protection as a fundamental pillar supporting the most vulnerable and poor households, adding that it provides not only a safety net but also a beacon of hope for poor and vulnerable individuals and communities.

The summit was organised by the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Social Protection Development Partner Group (DPG), with the theme: “Social Protection Towards Human Capital Development.”

According to De Luca, social protection plays a critical role in human capital development by providing safety nets that ensure access to essential services such as education, health, and nutrition.

De Luca added that it also contributes to economic stability, poverty reduction, and inclusive growth, as well as providing a strong foundation for the overall development of the country.

While citing the World Bank’s report, which put Nigeria’s poor population at 104 million or 46 per cent in 2023, De Luca said: “Investing in social protection means investing in our collective future, fostering resilience, and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society despite background, location or uncertainties.”

He reiterated the commitment of the EU to collaborating with the federal government towards addressing issues around poverty in the country.

He said the EU was supporting Nigeria’s social protection sector to the tune of €46 million in its 2021 to 2027 programme, in a bid to support system strengthening and design of social safety nets programmes.

He said: “Already we are finalising processes with UNICEF and GIZ to implement the project in the focal states.”

De Luca also said the intervention would support the strengthening of the social protection system, which according to him, “looks at interoperability of related databases, and ensuring functional shock responsive social register while supporting three states in the North East with a safety nets programme that targets climate change affected communities.”