National Social Protection Policy Review Consultation Meeting 2020 Position Paper

National Social Protection Forum (NSPF)- National Social Protection Policy Review Consultation Meeting, Lagos
November 12, 2020

Position Paper
Preamble
This paper was developed by the National Social Protection Forum. It presents the collective position and inputs of the forum into the ongoing review of the national social protection policy. The paper was developed through a three day consultative meeting that thoroughly reviewed the policy, taking into consideration the country’s vulnerability profile and emerging issues with the view of identifying major gaps and issues that should be addressed and proffered recommendations. The 3-Day consultative meeting was with support from FCDO-Funded CDGP strengthening social protection systems, implemented by Save the Children International and Action Against Hunger (ACF)
 
The objectives of the Stakeholders Consultative meeting were to:
Enhance the voice and participation of marginalised groups in the policy review process.
Develop a policy paper for formal presentation to the National Social Protection Technical Working Group (TWG).

With respect to Objective 2, the participants thoroughly reviewed the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) document with a view to identifying the gaps and issues that should be addressed and included in the policy.

COMMENDATIONS
We commend the Federal Government for the NSPP as the policy is relevant to the Nigerian people and the social protection needs of the country. Having derived from the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the policy is in alignment with the nation’s priorities.
It is instructive to note the efforts of the Federal government to institutionalize social protection programming in Nigeria.
KEY OBSERVATIONS
During the consultation, participants made the following observations as core issues to be addressed in the POLICY REVIEW:

The policy does not include a clear institutional arrangement for social protection in Nigeria.
The intended outcomes though minimal, cannot be measured in terms of achievement as the policy does not have a costed implementation strategy and performance framework in place to support this process.
The non-availability of evaluation data makes it difficult to determine if the programmes have the desired impact and inform strategic direction at policy level.

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were excluded in the target groups and a number of vulnerable and marginalized groups were lumped together as though they have similar needs and vulnerabilities.
On paper or theoretically, the policy seems organized but not well organized at the implementation stage. There is no synergy between the implementing agencies.
There are no disability-specific targeted interventions.
Non-contributory programmes lack legislative frameworks to give them a legal backing to avoid being scrapped by successors whose campaign or goals do not align with the NSPP.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was not mentioned as part of the international agreements in 1.4 (international agreement and social protection) of the policy.
Disability inclusion is missing in the policy’s overarching goal which could lead to exclusion of persons with disabilities during interventions.
Under approaches to social protection, the age bracket of 25 – 64 is too broad, the type of interventions that would be provided for persons within the age of 25 – 40 and 41 – 60 might be different.
The policy does not clearly analyze the unique vulnerabilities of women and children with disabilities under the gender mainstreaming component (2.1).
The policy lacks a clear framework for sustainable financing.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
The revised policy should clarify the coordination mechanism (policy and program level), roles and responsibilities for different actors, including CSOs and the private sector. Linkages between the federal and state levels should also be defined by the revised policy.
An implementation plan and appropriate performance and cost analysis framework should be developed.
As part of the policy measures, include, “Promote the adoption and implementation of a twin-track approach to ensure inclusion of PWDs in social protection programs”.
The policy should provide a clear framework for sustainable financing.
The policy should encourage the use of the social register in implementation of social protection programmes.
There is a need for the establishment of a legislative framework to give legal backing to the implementation of the social protection programmes.
Complimentary roles should be clearly defined for each of the stakeholders and institutions.
There should also be a single monitoring framework i.e a unified M&E framework.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) should be included as part of the international agreements in 1.4 (international agreement and social protection).
Disability inclusion should be added in the overarching goal of this policy.
The age bracket of 25-64 should be differentiated into 25-40 and 41-64 for effective programme planning and implementation for the age groups.
It is key to always use appropriate terminologies when referring to the disability clusters. Where “children/adult/persons living with disabilities” and “physically challenged” appeared in the policy, it should be changed to children / adult / persons with disabilities. The policy guiding principles of citizenship and social inclusiveness should highlight the disability status. The reform measures of social protection in 2.1 should also include disability mainstreaming by highlighting a “twin-track” approach to be adopted in implementation of disability inclusive schemes.
The policy should strengthen measures on people that will be affected by natural disasters, insecurity, conflict and emergency situations such as COVID-19, floods etc.
Policy objectives must recognize the intersections of disability, gender in its gender mainstreaming (2.1) and speak to each of these groups separately in order to ensure effective interventions.
The policy measure and objective 13 should be clearly defined to capture emerging issues such as civil unrest, human trafficking, disease outbreak, child soldiers, climate change.
Policy should include a communication plan to increase awareness on social protection programmes.
Social welfare and child protection should be captured as Social welfare and protection to make provisions for both children and women.
Livelihood Enhancement & Employment category should include provision to support sustainable livelihood through skills training for orphans, street children, Almajiri and persons vulnerable to harmful traditional practice.
Legislative category, legal framework that specifically protects intended beneficiaries including children “should also include women” through inheritance rights, birth registration, child care services and breast feeding.

The National Social Protection Forum
The National Social Protection Forum is a collective of civil society organization in social protection aimed at bringing about increased political will; improved public awareness, participation; and strengthened accountability for social protection in Nigeria. The members of the platform are as mentioned below:

Kano State Social Protection Platform
Salisu Yusuf

sufybichi@gmail.com;

Jigawa State Social Protection Platform
Fatima Abdulhafiz
Mariam Ibrahim

maryam002.mi@gmail.com
Shabsy10@gmail.com

ADOSHEAN
Opeyemi Yekini
adoshean@yahoo.com

Dave Omokaro Foundation
Dr. Omuruyi Osunde
firstdavem@yahoo.com

CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness
Adamu Abdulahi
Abduladamu2006@gmail.com

CISLAC
Ugochukwu Munachi
m.ugochukwu@cislac.org; cislacuk@cislac.org;

FORCHID
Dr. Taiwo Benson
fochrid@yahoo.com;

BUDGIT
Tolutope Agunloye
tolutope@yourbudgit.com; tolutope@budgit.com

ECEWS
Okezie Onyedinachi
andy@ecews.org; Asuquo.etuk@ecews.org

Community Initiative for Sustainable Development
Steve Bande
icommunity@yahoo.com; coinngo.nigeria@gmail.com

CONNECTED DEVELOPMENT
Daniel Ikong
lucy@connecteddevelopment.org

NNWES
Okpala Joy Nkiru
nkirujoy@gmail.com

Young Credible
Comrade Abdulwahab Ekekhide
youngcredible@gmail.com;

Majesty Foundation
Jonah Emmanuel Njidda
majestyfound@gmail.com;

ANEEJ
Leo Atakpu
david@aneej.org

Images Initiative
Grace Amiola
amiolagracetomi@gmail.com;
imagesinitiative@gmail.com;
president@imagesinitiatives.org;
info@imagesinitiatives.org;

Albino Foundation
Damian O. Ivom
elekwal@gmail.com

Inclusive Friends
Grace Jerry
gracejjerry@gmail.com

DRAC
Irene Patrick Ogbogu
irene@drac-ng.org

LACSOP
Dr. Adebukola Adebayo
bayo4all@gmail.com

NNNGO
Barr. Ayo Adebusoye
ayo.nnngo@gmail.com

IP Data Resource Network
Michael E. Ogwuchi
yemilaw547@gmail.com;