To combat extreme poverty, Nigeria is implementing a massive and technologically advanced plan, utilising its National Social Register (NSR) as the primary tool.

At the one-day stakeholder meeting in Lagos, organised by the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), key leaders, including governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers, and representatives from the World Bank, gathered.

The head, Dr. Funmi Olotu, announced that the register, which currently lists over 70 million individuals, is being overhauled to ensure social interventions are transparent, accountable, and reach those most in need.

She stated that under President Bola Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope Agenda, the NSR is no longer merely a database. It is being transformed into a dynamic tool of optimism, aiming to actively identify and support Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

“A cornerstone of this transformation is the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) with the register, a critical step to enhance data integrity and eliminate duplication.

Dr. Olotu shared a remarkable progress report, revealing that in just four months, over 8.3 million NINs from the register have been successfully validated.

“This represents a huge breakthrough, given that previous attempts at a similar scale had largely failed. The government aims to achieve full NIN integration for every household in the register by March 2026, creating a more credible and resilient system.”

She added that the strategic repositioning of the NSR is already showing tangible results beyond the numbers.

Olotu cited the example of the Yelwata community in Benue State, where the register was used to quickly guide emergency aid to families displaced by an attack in June 2025. “This shows the government’s ability to respond swiftly and accurately during a crisis.

“NSR is now a key asset in proactive disaster management. NASSCO is actively using its data to identify communities most vulnerable to flooding, allowing for early intervention and support before a disaster strikes. This demonstrates the register’s evolution from a reactive tool to a platform for building community resilience.”

Also, speaking at the gathering, Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule highlighted the collective commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient platform. She stated that the gathering marks a critical step in the government’s desire to reach the poor and vulnerable population in Nigeria.

She emphasised that NSR is not merely a database but the backbone of the nation’s capacity to deliver aid with transparency, monitoring, and respect for human dignity.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube, said the theme of the gathering, ‘Adversary Social Protection through the National Social Register: A Resilient Tool for a Resilient Nigeria,’ deeply resonates with the state’s vision of a Nigeria where resilience is built on a system that ensures dignity, opportunities uand protection for everyone. Egube emphasised that the engagement is not about statistics but about the collective responsibility to ensure no citizen is left behind.

“With over 25 million residents, Lagos faces both the challenges and the opportunity to show how social protection can be effectively implemented. The goal is to ensure that every vulnerable household receives the support they need so that poverty is not a lifelong struggle and resilience becomes woven into the very fabric of society.

He explained that social protection is often mistaken for charity alone, but in reality, it is one of the smartest social investments any society can make.

“When we support the poor, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, the positive effects extend to the well-being of the entire community.”

He added that this investment leads to a decrease in poverty, an increase in resilience against tough times, a boost in human capital, and a spark in local economies as beneficiaries spend their resources within their communities.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by his deputy, commended the organisers for providing a platform to collectively strengthen the response to social and economic realities.

He noted that for the North East, the social register is not just a database; it is a lifeline. “This conversation is not an abstract policy debate; it is about the survival, the unity, and the future of our people,” he said.

He reminded the audience that for over a decade, the state has endured insurgency, displacement, and recurring natural disasters such as flooding, fires, and food scarcity. The register, he said, enables them to identify and reach the most vulnerable households, ensuring that support goes where it is most needed.