ANEEJ Holds Community Outreach in Koko to Raise Awareness on Social Protection Programmes in Delta State
Koko, Warri North LGA, Delta State. November 17, 2025 – The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), in collaboration with Bread for the World (Germany) and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD), and co-funded by the European Union, today convened a community outreach session in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State to enhance public awareness and participation in ongoing social protection programmes.
The outreach, held under the ActNaija Project, focused on the theme: “Raising Community Awareness on Social Protection Programmes in Delta State.”
Speaking during the event, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, represented by Deputy Executive Director, Leo Atakpu emphasized the essential role of social protection in reducing poverty, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring that vulnerable households especially women, youth, and persons with disabilities including the aged can access government welfare benefits.
Rev. Ugolor noted that while Delta State has introduced several social protection initiatives under the MORE Agenda such as the Widows Welfare Scheme, Cash Transfers, GEST, AGILE, and various grants; many rural communities remain unaware of how to benefit from these programmes. The Koko outreach, he said, aims to close this awareness gap and empower community members with accurate information, enrollment guidance, and direct engagement with government representatives.
The event also featured inspiring testimonies from beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programme, who shared how the intervention has improved their lives. One beneficiary explained that the ₦5,000 monthly cash transfer enabled her to pay her children’s school fees and keep them in school, urging the government to sustain the programme for vulnerable households. Others described how saving part of their benefits and joining cooperatives helped them start small income-generating ventures, such as chair and table rental services, which have boosted their livelihoods. These stories highlight the transformative impact of social protection programmes in enhancing household welfare, promoting financial inclusion, and strengthening community resilience.
He further highlighted the importance of strengthening delivery systems, improving transparency, and leveraging digital tools to ensure that social protection interventions reach the intended beneficiaries.
“Social protection is one of the strongest tools for lifting families out of poverty,” he stated. “But it must be inclusive, well-coordinated, and understood by the communities it is meant to serve. Today’s outreach is part of our commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind.” – Rev Ugolor noted.
The outreach yielded key outcomes that strengthened community engagement in Delta State’s social protection system. Participants gained a clearer understanding of ongoing programmes and were encouraged to take advantage of available interventions. The State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) also announced that a new round of Social Register enrollment and updates will begin by the end of November, advising residents to prepare their NIN, BVN, and bank details as mandatory requirements. Additionally, concerns from community members who felt excluded from previous benefit cycles were addressed, with SOCU explaining that mismatched personal information especially BVN and bank details often leads to disqualification, and urging residents to update their records during the upcoming exercise.
Through the ActNaija Project, ANEEJ and its partners are working across multiple states to expand access to social protection programmes, strengthen monitoring systems, and help citizens enroll in the National Social Register (NSR), which remains the primary gateway to several government interventions.
The outreach in Koko provided participants with practical information on how to register for social protection benefits, clarification on ongoing state programmes, and a platform to raise questions and share feedback. Community members also engaged with officials from relevant ministries and social investment offices.
ANEEJ expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government, the Warri North Local Government Authority, traditional leaders, and community groups for their support in advancing inclusive governance and social welfare delivery in the state.
Rev. Ugolor reaffirmed ANEEJ’s commitment to working with government and civil society partners to build a Delta State where every family regardless of location has access to social protection systems that guarantee dignity, security, and opportunity.
Recall, that the ActNaija project is implemented in seven states (Borno, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Ondo, Osun, Kogi and the FCT), with the overall objective of improving inclusivity of social protection system in Nigeria.
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