Sokoto State is set to receive a major boost to its social protection architecture as the European Union (EU) has earmarked $14 million to help the state build stronger, more inclusive systems for identifying and supporting vulnerable families.

The funding is being deployed under the EU’s Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) programme and will focus on three core areas – strengthening social protection policy, improving public budgeting, and establishing a comprehensive social registry that can accurately capture those most in need.

The commitment was announced during a three-day joint mission to Sokoto by officials of the EU, the United Nations and international development partners, led by the EU Head of Cooperation to Nigeria, Massimo De Luca.

The visiting delegation also included representatives of UNICEF, UNFPA, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and development partners such as Plan International Nigeria, Action Against Hunger (ACF Nigeria), CARE and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

According to the EU, the new social registry will prioritise children and families who are often excluded from formal support systems, including those without birth registration or National Identification Numbers, out-of-school children, malnourished households and families with limited access to primary health care.

“This visit has shown how critical it is to invest in systems that protect and empower people, especially children and young people. The EU remains committed to supporting Sokoto State to ensure inclusive development that leaves no one behind,” De Luca said.

In a statement, the partners said the mission reaffirmed their commitment to working with the Sokoto State government to improve services for children, women, adolescents and vulnerable families through long-term system reforms rather than isolated interventions.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who received the delegation, said his administration was committed to sustaining development gains and delivering essential services in line with both state priorities and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our administration is committed to practical solutions that uplift our people. We will continue to prioritise the well-being of women, children and vulnerable families and work with partners to sustain results,” the governor said.

During the visit, the delegation visited schools, primary health care centres, internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and community service points across the state.

At education sites, the team reviewed programmes aimed at improving safe learning environments, strengthening teacher support and increasing community participation to expand access to inclusive education for girls and boys.

In health facilities, partners assessed initiatives designed to make services more adolescent-friendly and gender-responsive.

UNICEF Deputy Representative (Programme), Rownak Khan, said EU-supported interventions in Sokoto are centred on education, primary health care and adolescent services.

“This is about helping families withstand shocks through social protection so that children not only survive but thrive,” she said.

A key moment of the visit was the presentation of a new tool designed to measure multiple dimensions of poverty. The tool will be integrated into Nigeria’s National Social Register to improve targeting, reduce exclusion errors and ensure limited resources reach the households that need them most.

The mission ended with a joint pledge by the EU, UN agencies and partner organisations to deepen collaboration with the Sokoto State government in advancing social protection reforms and inclusive development.