Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State received the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) Award of Excellence for inclusive governance and social‑protection delivery during a stakeholder meeting with local government chairmen in Abuja’s Transcorp Congress Hall. The award, presented by NASSCO’s national coordinator Dr Funmi Olotu, recognises the governor’s efforts to strengthen social‑protection mechanisms in a state grappling with insecurity and humanitarian challenges.
NASSCO, a federal agency under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, coordinates Nigeria’s social‑safety‑net programmes, including cash transfers, livelihood support and health interventions aimed at vulnerable populations. In its remarks, Governor Lawal called the engagement “timely” for states facing security and humanitarian crises. He praised the federal government, the World Bank and development partners for backing reforms that aim to improve Nigeria’s social‑protection architecture.
A central theme of the governor’s address was the expansion of the National Social Register and the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the registration process. Lawal argued that linking NIN to the social register would enhance transparency, reduce duplication and increase accountability in the delivery of assistance. He warned, however, that technology alone cannot resolve systemic challenges without robust local governance and strong accountability mechanisms.
Zamfara, where insurgency and banditry have displaced communities and disrupted livelihoods, exemplifies the shifting role of social protection from a welfare programme to a tool for governance, security, poverty reduction and community resilience. The governor highlighted that insecurity has deepened poverty and heightened the vulnerability of women, children, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons and rural dwellers. In this context, he urged better coordination of social‑intervention programmes, emphasizing data‑driven approaches to ensure aid reaches those most in need.
Local governments, according to Lawal, remain the closest tier of government to citizens and therefore play a critical role in implementing social‑protection initiatives. Their responsibilities include grassroots mobilisation, data validation, identity support and monitoring of programme outcomes. By strengthening the capacity of local councils, the governor believes that delivery can become more efficient and credible.
The Zamfara State administration underscored that inclusive development must extend beyond cash transfers. Plans under discussion include support for agriculture, healthcare, education, skills acquisition, financial inclusion and broader community‑resilience projects aimed at moving beneficiaries from dependency to sustainable economic participation.
Dr Funmi Olotu, while presenting the award, noted that Governor Lawal’s commitment to inclusive governance and improved social‑protection delivery aligns with NASSCO’s mission to ensure vulnerable groups are not left behind in Nigeria’s development agenda. The award signals continued collaboration between federal authorities, development partners and state governments to bolster the country’s safety‑net infrastructure.
