The National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) played a central role at the recently concluded NG-CARES 2.0 Stakeholders’ Appraisal Meeting, where federal and state actors, along with development partners like the World Bank, gathered in Lagos to strengthen collaboration and enhance the delivery of the NG-CARES Programme.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Nebeolisa Anako Obi, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering vulnerable Nigerians through the second phase of the NG-CARES Programme. The Appraisal Meeting for the Additional Financing (AF) of NG-CARES served as a platform to evaluate past progress, identify gaps, and chart a way forward for more effective intervention delivery.
With over 19 million households currently enrolled in the National Social Register (NSR) managed by NASSCO, the importance of data-driven targeting was a recurring theme. The register remains the backbone of NG-CARES interventions, helping to ensure that support reaches the poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population.
“My duty as Permanent Secretary is to identify obstacles and remove them,” Obi stated, noting that success in NG-CARES 2.0 will ensure that poor Nigerians tangibly experience government efforts at all levels.
Dr Lire Ersado, Task Team Leader for NG-CARES at the World Bank, provided insights into the design and implementation strategies of the new phase. He acknowledged initial challenges—such as delays linked to the National Identification Number (NIN) requirement—and outlined plans for addressing them while maintaining robust targeting mechanisms.
NASSCO’s role was further highlighted by Abdulkarim Obaje, National Coordinator of the Federal CARES Support Unit, who noted that the NSR would be expanded and updated to support effective delivery. “The social register is critical to the success of NG-CARES, and NASSCO will continue to lead efforts to maintain its accuracy and usability,” Obaje explained.
NG-CARES 2.0, set to run from 2025 to 2027, will build on the foundation laid by the first phase, which has already seen over $645 million reimbursed to states and growing state-level ownership. Stakeholders were urged to sustain their commitment to inclusive implementation and ensure that the programme continues to serve as a model for results-based social protection.
By aligning national and subnational efforts and leveraging the NSR, NASSCO and its partners are poised to expand the reach and impact of NG-CARES, contributing significantly to poverty reduction and resilience building across Nigeria.