SP Sector Review - Aug 2019
Social Protection Sector Review kicks off in Lagos with 2-day Workshop – August 26 and 27, 2019
The Nigerian Ministry of National Budget and Planning (MNBP), Save the Children International, UNICEF and ILO contracted a consultancy team to perform a Social protection Sector Review in Nigeria. This week, government and non-government stakeholders participated in a two-day workshop aimed at designing the data collection tools for the review together. The workshop saw social protection focal points representing among others the Federal Ministry of Health, Education, Labour and Employment, Budget and National planning, Women Affairs, the Womens enterprise network and the National Social Investment Office under the Vice President.
For the design of data collection, The Core Diagnostic Instrument, also known at CODI, was taken as a starting point. Designed by the Interagency Social Protection Agency, the CODI consist of a comprehensive set of question (around 400 in total) that can be used to assess social protection policies, programmes and the system as a whole and adapted to country context.
On day one, participants engaged in lively debate on different aspects of social protection and the objectives for the review. Presentations by the consultants highlighted the differences between the terms social protection, social security, social safety nets and the benefits of investing in social protection, including economic growth and growing democratic support. The difference in percentage of GDP spent on social protection between France (around 30%) and Nigeria (around 2%) raised heads and led to extensive talks on financing mechanisms. First discussions on the common objectives of the review at the end of day one led to agreement on focusing on some programmes and policies extensively rather than all superficially, combining a more into-dept assessment of a selection of state program in addition to a general mapping.
Bringing the informal economy on board is one of the priorities in increasing SP coverage in Nigeria.” Dr. Dorcas Ebun Ayiboye, Director of Social Security/Cooperative Development, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE)
On day two participants were asked to take the seat of the consultants and determine which of the CODI questions would be most relevant int his review. Outcomes of the exercise showed that the group would prioritize objectives and coverage and inclusion matters of policies. Participants also highlighted the political support of government in social protection policies, regulation of the policy on each level of government, financing and expenditures. Where it concerned programmes, participants placed additional value on or programme shock responsiveness, the existence of a program operational manual, adequacy of the program, M&E and exit procedures. Stakeholders further agreed that States for the sector review will be selected on the basis on population size, poverty level and policy existence. Programmes will then be selected on the basis of coverage, expenditure and categorie (social assistance, insurance and labour market interventions). The event came to a close on Tuesday afternoon.
"It has been a wonderfull event. Thanks to the partners and our minsitries, Nigeria will not remain the same in the next ten years. Togtehr we can move Nigeria to where we want to be. ” Mrs Nkiru Joy Okpala, national coordinator of the Nigerian network of women exporters of services (NNWES). Speaking for the participants.
"The commitment we have seen during this workshop for the Technical Working Group on Social Portection has been Remarkable.“ Mrs. Grace Obi-Ukpabi, Assistant Director of Social Development, Ministry of Budget and National Planing (MBNP)
The Social Protection review will hopefully be finalized at the end of 2019 and will lead to the following data overview:
• Part 1: Mapping for ALL states: “Developing the landscape”. Programmes implemented, individuals covered, benefits. (MAPPING) Method: A short policy and programme questionnaire will be used. The initial mapping will lead to a Selection of the programmes. One of the priorities will be to include the most comprehensive and expensive programmes.
• Part 2: REVIEW In 12 selected states: an additional assessment for three programmes per state. Method: Adapted CODI: focused on Design and implementation features, weaknesses and opportunities.
Outcomes will inform planning of future efforts in SP efforts by different ministries and partners with the aim to continue to improve the SP system in Nigeria.
“The government feels it’s important to know the overview of Social Protection initiatives. It is good to follow the money, explore the issues, gains, successful models and best practices and see how can we use these examples to work towards a national Social Protection framework to collectively lift people out of poverty.” Apera Iorwa, National Coordinator of the National Social Saftey Nets Coodination Office (NASSCO)