Abia State Partners with UNICEF, ILO for Social Protection Bill

Abia State is working with UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to draft a social protection bill, which will be submitted to the state house assembly by September 1, 2026. This bill aims to provide a legal framework for ongoing social protection programs supported by a 36-month EU funding initiative.

The project, known as the SUSI project, focuses on four key result areas to improve the capacity of policymakers and develop a comprehensive social protection management information system. Currently, the social register includes 1.5 million individuals, with 240,000 identified as poor and vulnerable households.

The poverty rate in Abia State stands at 31 percent. The initiative is designed to ensure that social welfare policies support the dignity of citizens, particularly the vulnerable.

Key stakeholders, including local government officials and traditional leaders, will assist in identifying truly poor communities to avoid nepotism in program implementation.