The pledge came during a first-time visit by the World Bank’s Regional Manager for Social Protection and Labour in West and Central Africa, Mr Robert Chase, to the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Minister Bagudu highlighted that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms and social programmes have received strong support from the World Bank. He noted that the constitution mandates all levels of government to pursue shared goals that promote social welfare and inclusive growth, guiding the coordination of social protection policies nationwide.
He stressed the need for better ward-level structures to avoid duplication and ensure communities fully benefit from programmes like NG CA-RES, the Nigeria for Women Project, and the HOPE Agenda. “Most Nigerians are hardworking, but poverty persists due to limited economic returns,” Bagudu said, emphasising the urgency of scaling interventions to enhance livelihoods, resilience, and opportunities, particularly for internally displaced persons and those facing multidimensional poverty.
“Mr President has challenged us to translate these reforms into measurable improvements in people’s lives. Our goal is to lift millions out of poverty by 2030 through coordinated programs, strengthened efficiency, and expanded financing,” he added.
Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Deborah Odoh, described the World Bank as a reliable partner in driving social protection reforms, noting optimism for continued collaboration under the leadership of Mr Chase.
Mr Chase lauded Nigeria’s leadership in delivering large-scale social protection programmes, noting that the bank’s $750 million support for NG CA-RES has already mobilised more than $2.2 billion in state-level investments. He added that the next phase of the programme will expand cash transfers, improve identification systems, and provide broader livelihood support under the Bank’s Country Partnership Framework.
