Borno Stakeholders dialogue route for single, unified Social Protection system

MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE (17 SEPTEMBER, 2025) — Borno State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon Zuwaira Gambo has called upon partners and stakeholders to work together for the development of a well articulated policy that will advance the social protection systems in the state and bring all actions together into a single, unified system.

The Commissioner in her opening remarks at a stakeholder dialogue organized by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, (ANEEJ) in collaboration with her ministry at the Kelrich Hotel, Maiduguri lauded the European Union and Bread for the World Germany for co-funding the ACT NAIJA Project in Borno state describing saying it would help build a stronger social protection system in the state.

Represented by the Director of Administration in the Ministry, Hajia Halima Chiroma, the Commissioner noted that Borno’s efforts to protect its most vulnerable are well-intentioned but scattered. “Different programmes run by various groups often overlap, work towards different goals, and are applied unevenly across the country. This creates a confusing patchwork where help doesn’t always reach those who need it most, wasting precious resources and leaving critical gaps in our safety net.”

Hon. Gambo further stated that “Bringing these actions together into a single, unified system is both the right thing to do and a smart investment in our nation’s future. A coordinated approach would cut through the bureaucracy, saving time and money. Most importantly, it would allow us to effectively find and support every marginalized citizen, from the urban poor to those in remote villages, ensuring that help is fair and reaches everyone.
“To build this stronger system, we need a clear plan. We must start by creating one central body to coordinate everything, backed by a shared data system to track our progress. Success will depend on listening to and involving local communities, state governments, and the private sector. This ensures our policies are practical, responsive to local needs, and can adapt to new challenges.”

In his goodwill message, the Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Ali Abdullahi Isa noted that the dialogue provides a valuable platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration, policy review, and progress tracking. It is an opportunity for us to share lessons, identify best practices, and chart pathways to build inclusive and resilient social protection systems in Borno State.

Represented by Mrs. Yagan Ali Abadam, the D-G stated that SEMA remains committed to working closely with government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector to enhance social protection efforts in our state. We recognize the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing the complex challenges facing our communities, and we look forward to engaging in fruitful discussions that will inform our collective efforts.

She commend the tireless efforts of ANEEJ and its partners in promoting social protection initiatives that benefit vulnerable populations in Borno State. “Your dedication to enhancing the well-being of our citizens, particularly women, children, and other marginalized groups, is truly commendable.

“We express our sincere appreciation to the European Union for its support through the Act Naija program, which has enabled this important work to move forward. We also acknowledge the dedication of the consortium comprising Brot für die Welt (BfdW), Aneej, and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD) in implementing this project.

The Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Hon. Saina Buba who was represented by the Director Youth poverty and Empowerment, Mr. Yusuf Mustapha Muhammed urged stakeholders to work in synergy to achieve the set goals of the Act Naija project even as he lauded the organisers of the meeting for bringing all stakeholders in the state together.

On his part, the Cerk of the Borno State House of Assembly, Mohammad Gogo Abdullahi who was represented by the Deputy Clerk of the House, Shettima Garba, assured the meeting of the House of Assembly’s readiness to collaborate and have a smooth policy and law passage when efforts gets to that stage.The Clerk further commended ANEEJ and other partners in their drive to promote the social protection policies in the state

The Executive Chairmen of Maiduguri Municipal, Gere and Konduga Local Government Councils in their separate interventions sued for the state Government to always and Civil Society Organizations to reach out to the Social Welfare Units in the Local Councils to address issues of Child abuse, street trading, out of school children and beggers amongst other issues.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, Mr. Leo Atakpu said the event provides an opportunity for stakeholders to ramp up efforts towards improving social protection interventions in the state.

Mr. Atakpu stated that despite growing recognition of its importance, Borno’s social protection architecture remains fragmented, underfunded, and limited in reach, pointing out that the recent Act NAIJA baseline survey carried out in Borno State reveals that the state launched a social protection policy in September 2023, but the policy is yet to translate into a law-making coordination of social protection activities and programmes and called on all stakeholders to work toward the review of the draft policy, enactment of an all embracing social protection law that would ensure universal access of the poor and vulnerable groups in the state.

The one-day dialogue, with the theme,” Building an inclusive social protection system,” had three panel sessions looking at the current state of affairs of social protection in the state, the role of civil society and a review of the legislative framework.

A major outcome of the dialogue was the composition of the Borno State Social Protection Committee to be led by the Commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Other members include: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Budget, Ministry of Information, SEMA, Clerk of the Borno State House of Assembly, Maiduguri Municipal Council, Gere and Konduga Local Government Councils, Borno State JONAPWD, Representative of Internally Displaced Persons, Civil Society and Media among others. The committee is expected to work closely with the already established National Committee led by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The three-year Act Naija project is being implemented by three organisations, namely: Bread for the World, Germany, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) and the New Initiative for Social Development (NISD). The project is co-funded by the European Union under its Human Rights and Support to Civil Society in Nigeria programme.