The Lagos State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has trained government officials and other stakeholders on how to improve support for vulnerable residents during emergencies and difficult times.
The training, organised by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, held at The Patron Hotels, Sangotedo in Lagos, brought together members of the Social Protection Implementation Technical Working Group, Social Protection Focal Persons from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and other stakeholders.
The workshop focused on helping participants develop better ways to prepare for and respond to economic hardship, climate-related disasters, public health emergencies and other situations that affect poor and vulnerable households in Lagos State.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, represented by the Director of Budget, Mr. Oluwafemi Orojimi, said the training was important because many vulnerable people continue to face economic, environmental and health challenges.
She thanked UNICEF for its continued support in strengthening social protection programmes in Lagos State and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a system that responds quickly to the needs of vulnerable residents.Mrs. Ojo said the knowledge gained from the workshop would improve planning and the delivery of support to women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. She added that the training would also support the implementation of the Lagos State Social Protection Policy, the THEMES+ Agenda, the Lagos State Development Plan 2052 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
On the part of UNICEF, the Social Policy and Programme Manager, Muhammed Okorie, said social protection systems must be able to respond quickly whenever emergencies occur. According to him, governments need to improve how they identify vulnerable people and deliver assistance during crises.
He said social protection should not only help people survive difficult situations but also enable them to recover and rebuild their lives.
“The goal should be to move beyond traditional safety nets that catch people when they fall. Instead, social protection systems should function like a trampoline – helping people bounce back stronger,” he said.
Okorie also described the Lagos State Single Social Register as an important tool for identifying vulnerable households. He recommended expanding the register to include information such as malnutrition and out-of-school children to ensure support reaches those who need it most.
Participants described the training as useful and practical, saying it gave them new knowledge and skills to improve social protection planning and service delivery across Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Lagos State.
The workshop reflects the continued partnership between the Lagos State Government and UNICEF to build a stronger, more responsive and inclusive social protection system that protects vulnerable residents during emergencies.