From: Femi Mustapha
The Kaduna State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has convened a two-day validation workshop to review and finalize the Kaduna State Social Protection Mapping Report, which aims to create a more coordinated and evidence-based social protection system.
Speaking at the opening session, Special Adviser to Governor Uba Sani, CON, on Social Investment Programs, Mrs. Bridget Sulaiman, said the workshop represents another milestone in the state’s efforts to strengthen systems that support vulnerable individuals, households, and communities.
She added that the review would ensure the report correctly reflects existing interventions, institutional frameworks, programs, and implementation realities across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
“This workshop marks another important milestone in our collective effort to build a more coordinated, inclusive, responsive, and evidence-based social protection system for the people of Kaduna State,” Mrs. Sulaiman stated.
Mrs. Bridget A.O. Sulaiman, who was represented by Hajia Falmata Abacha, SSA Social Investment, emphasized that the process would guide policy formulation, planning, resource mobilization, and strategic interventions targeting vulnerable populations.
The mapping exercise follows a Strategic Social Protection Program Mapping and Stakeholders’ Orientation held in September 2025, which UNICEF supported.
This engagement presented preliminary findings and increased stakeholders’ awareness of coordination and accountability in the sector.
Mrs. Sulaiman commended development partners, MDAs, the Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC), and the technical team for their contributions to the process.
She urged participants to actively engage to produce a credible document that reflects the state’s aspirations for an effective social protection system.
“I encourage everyone to participate actively, engage constructively, and make meaningful contributions toward improving the quality, accuracy, and usefulness of this report,” she said.
Representing UNICEF at the workshop, Mrs. Wakidara Akila emphasized that the validation was essential to ensure that the initial work was solid and beneficial for all stakeholders. She underlined the need for a cohesive document to help fill gaps in program delivery and prevent exclusion and inclusion errors.
“We really wish for us to have this validation to ensure that whatever work you have done at the initial stage is a concrete one,” Mrs. Akila said. “If we are all together as stakeholders in social protection, we can fill in those gaps and reach out.”
She highlighted that Kaduna has made significant progress in social protection but needs a more comprehensive, coordinated approach to ensure no one is left out.
She also stated that UNICEF is exploring ways to support the state in emergency shock-response efforts, working with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to improve the order and effectiveness of interventions.
According to a background report presented by facilitator Jessica Berthalome, Kaduna State has been a pioneer in sub-national social protection efforts.
The state adopted its social protection policy in 2019 and was the first to allocate 1% of Internally Generated Revenue to social protection in its budget.
In August 2020, the Kaduna State Executive Council approved the Kaduna State Social Protection Policy, and the Social Security Law was enacted in July 2023.
In 2023, Governor Uba Sani signed Executive Order 001 on Financial Inclusion, and in 2024, the Kaduna State Social Investment Agency was established.
The government has also been building institutional and organizational capacity to design, develop, and implement social protection programs, while gradually increasing funding and improving service delivery.
