The National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, has spearheaded a comprehensive three-day training on the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with the National Social Register (NSR). The initiative aims to enhance the accuracy, transparency, and efficiency of social protection delivery in Nigeria.
Held at Dover Hotel, Ikeja, the event brought together key stakeholders including NASSCO, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and Lagos State officials to build the capacity of field personnel who will lead the NIN-linked NSR update across the state.
Speaking at the training, Mrs. Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator of NASSCO (represented by Dr. Daniel Amba, National GRM Manager), emphasized that linking the NSR with NIN is central to NASSCO’s mandate of promoting data-driven, transparent, and inclusive social safety-net programmes.
“The use of NIMC registration devices and Kobo Collect for accurate data capture will ensure that social intervention reaches those who need it most,” Olotu noted. “This integration will strengthen the credibility of the State Social Register (SSR), streamline targeting mechanisms, and eliminate duplication in beneficiary records.”
With over 2.6 million individuals and 688,759 poor and vulnerable households currently in the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) as of February 2025, the integration project is poised to significantly improve identity verification and reduce fraud in welfare distribution.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, praised the collaboration with NASSCO, stating that the initiative would assign unique identities to beneficiaries, fostering transparency and accountability in social programs.
“Lagos is strategically positioned for this integration, which enhances tracking of government interventions and ensures effective use of public funds,” she said.
Echoing the importance of identity-based targeting, Mr. Olumide Aremu, NIMC State Coordinator, highlighted the agency’s readiness to support seamless enrollment, adding that data harmonization is key to assessing the impact of government programs.
“This exercise focuses on the grassroots and the vulnerable—people who often fall through the cracks. Integrating NIN with NSR is a game changer for inclusive governance,” he said.
As the coordinating body for Nigeria’s social register, NASSCO continues to drive innovations that ensure accurate identification, data integration, and improved service delivery to poor and vulnerable Nigerians. The Lagos training is part of a broader national strategy to mainstream digital identity into shock-responsive social protection systems.