The Nigerian Senate has moved forward with legislation designed to tackle extreme poverty by creating a coordinated national social welfare system.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, passed the second reading and now awaits further review by the committee on public service.
Senator Kalu emphasised that the proposed law aimed to consolidate existing welfare programmes while addressing gaps in delivery and coverage.
“Despite numerous interventions, millions of Nigerians still lack access to essential services.
”A structured and data-driven framework is needed to ensure effective support,” he said.
The bill proposed the establishment of a Social Welfare Service under the ministry responsible for humanitarian affairs, with offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
This approach is intended to make social protection accessible beyond the capital, ensuring programs reach communities across the country.
Planned initiatives under the Service include food and cash transfers, housing support, educational stipends, allowances for the elderly and persons with disabilities, subsidies for small-scale farmers, and credit schemes for low-income entrepreneurs.
A key feature of the legislation is the creation of Safety Centres throughout the country and the maintenance of a national register of beneficiaries and program graduates.
This system is intended to improve transparency, track long-term outcomes, and minimize political interference in program distribution.
Eligibility criteria are clearly defined, targeting households earning below N5,000 monthly, day laborers earning less than N3,000 per job, low-income artisans, subsistence farmers, and residents of slum communities.
The Senate emphasised that these measures are crucial to ensuring fairness and efficiency.
The bill has received widespread support from lawmakers, who recognise the need to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection framework and reduce corruption in welfare delivery.
The committee is expected to report back within four weeks.
