Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State received the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) Award of Excellence for his administration's work in inclusive governance and social protection. The award was presented at a NASSCO stakeholder engagement event attendees at the Transcorp Congress Hall in Abuja. NASSCO, a federal agency under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, oversees social safety-net programs aimed at supporting vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
Dr Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator of NASSCO, said the award recognised Governor Lawal's dedication to improving social protection systems in Zamfara. In his remarks, Governor Lawal praised the Federal Government, the World Bank, and other development partners for backing reforms to strengthen Nigeria's social protection framework. He highlighted the importance of integrating the National Identification Number (NIN) with the National Social Register to improve transparency and reduce duplication.
Lawal stated that in conflict-affected states like Zamfara, social protection has evolved from welfare to a tool for governance, security, and poverty reduction. He noted that insecurity in the state leads to displacement, food insecurity, and economic hardship, especially among women, children, the disabled, and rural communities. He stressed that local governments play a critical role in data validation, community engagement, and monitoring interventions.
Governor Lawal speaks of transparency and data-driven delivery while governing a state where insecurity continues to displace communities and disrupt livelihoods. His administration accepts national praise for social protection even as those same vulnerable groups face daily threats without visible state-level security or infrastructure intervention. The award highlights a gap between policy rhetoric and on-ground stability — where commendations do not feed families or return displaced villagers to their homes. If NIN integration and stakeholder meetings were enough, Zamfara would already be at peace.
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