The Oyo state government has commenced the update of the National Social Register (NSR) and integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the State Social Register of the poor and the vulnerable.
To support this process, the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), in collaboration with the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU), has organised a three-day step-down training for officers from the thirty-three Local Government Areas in the state.
The trained officers will be responsible for updating the National Social Register (NSR) and integrating the National Identification Number (NIN) into the State Social Register (SSR).
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Julius Tunde Ayanleke, while declaring the training open in Ibadan, stated that the programme aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which mandates that all cash transfer recipient households must have the National Identification Number (NIN) and that beneficiaries must be selected from the National Social Register (NSR) of the poor and vulnerable.
Mr. Ayanleke reiterated that the primary objective of the training is to educate participants on the processes and procedures of household updates and NIN integration, as well as to familiarise them with their roles and responsibilities during the exercise.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for funding the Community-Based Targeting (CBT) exercise aimed at expanding the State Social Register (SSR). He urged participants to conduct themselves professionally and view the exercise as an opportunity to contribute to poverty alleviation in the state.
In his remarks, the Zonal Targeting Officer of NASSCO, Mr Lawal Malik, speaking on behalf of the National Programme Manager, stated that the State Social Register (SSR) plays a crucial role in social safety net programmes, serving as a single, unified database for targeting beneficiaries of social interventions. He noted that integrating the NIN with the SSR would enhance the accuracy and efficiency of targeting mechanisms, ensuring that the most vulnerable households receive the necessary support.
Also speaking at the occasion, the State Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Paul Popoola, reiterated the commission’s essential role in ensuring that every Nigerian has a unique and verifiable identity.
He emphasised that integrating the National Identification Number (NIN) with the State Social Register (SSR) is a key initiative, designed to improve social protection programmes, advance financial inclusion, and strengthen governance. According to him, this initiative will not only enhance the credibility of the National Social Register (NSR) but also ensure that social interventions reach the right beneficiaries transparently and accountably.
Speaking in the same vein, the Acting Coordinator of the Oyo State Operation Coordinating Unit (OYOSOCU), Mr Ismail Salami, urged participants to dedicate themselves fully to the exercise by efficiently carrying out their assigned roles and responsibilities. He expressed gratitude to His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, for his commitment to providing relief to poor and vulnerable households and individuals in the state.
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