ILO Workshop Trains Nigerian Officials on Social Protection Statistics for Effective Monitoring and Evaluation

Efforts to Improve Social Protection in Nigeria Gain Momentum Through Data Collection and Monitoring

Press release | 30 May 2023
In a recent three-day workshop organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) between 22nd May to 24th May 2023, top officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria were trained on the use of the Social Security Inquiry (SSI) tool. The three-day training aimed to empower these officials to institutionalize social protection statistics, submit data for the next ILO Social Security Inquiry (SSI), and achieve effective monitoring and evaluation of social protection systems in the country.

According to the ILO World Social Protection Report, over 80 percent of Nigerians lack access to any form of social protection, despite it being recognized as a human right. To address this issue, monitoring and evaluation systems play a crucial role in developing comprehensive social protection systems. These systems enable evidence-based decision-making and provide valuable insights for policymakers and program implementers. Furthermore, they foster public discourse on social protection and strengthen the commitment to enhance and expand social protection initiatives.

The workshop focused on training participants on the use of the SSI tool, which is designed for collecting data on social protection coverage and expenditure. This tool also supports data collection for reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1.3.1, which aims to measure social protection coverage and promote inclusive social protection systems.

Dr. Sanjo Faniran, the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, emphasized the importance of the workshop during the opening ceremony. He highlighted that the Diagnostic Study of the previous Social Protection Policy recommended strengthening monitoring and evaluation through social protection statistics. Additionally, he announced plans to institutionalize social protection statistics by collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to publish an annual social protection statistics bulletin. Efforts will also be made to build capacity at the state level and ensure data collection at the subnational level.



Ms. Renata, representing the Canadian High Commission, reaffirmed Canada's commitment to supporting Nigeria's progress towards achieving the SDGs, including the goal of social protection for all. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and expressed confidence in the ILO tool for strengthening social monitoring and evaluation.

The World Bank Country Director's representative also stressed the need for collaboration and adoption of the ILO tool. They emphasized that using a standardized tool would facilitate the country's efforts to strengthen social monitoring and evaluation, thus achieving their goals effectively.

During the workshop, Ms. Victoire Umhire, the ILO Regional Social Protection Officer, and Ms. Nesterenko, Valeria, the ILO Social Protection Data Specialist, and Mr. Segun Tekun, ILO National Project Officer- Social Protection, guided participants through the process of completing the SSI tool. They emphasized the significance of social protection statistics and discussed migration-related aspects. Participants were grouped according to pillar of social protection they are working on, and a simulation exercise was conducted.

At the end of the workshop, Ministries Department and Agencies commit to submit coverage and expenditure data for their respective institutions and ensure that the next ILO world social protection report captures data for Nigeria. The participants are optimistic that the coverage will improve from the present 11 percent.

The workshop marked an important step towards improving social protection in Nigeria. With enhanced data collection and monitoring, policymakers and implementers will have the necessary tools to make informed decisions and strengthen social protection systems across the country.