The Oyo State Government has taken a major step toward turning social protection into law. Through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, it held a meeting to review and validate the State’s Social Protection Draft Bill. The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported the exercise under the SUSI Project. Consequently, the bill now moves closer to the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.
The meeting took place at the Ibadan Business School in Bodija, Ibadan. In all, 48 participants attended. They came from relevant ministries, departments and agencies, the legislature and organised labour, and other stakeholders also joined. Mr Julius Ayanleke, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, led the session.
Ayanleke explained how the bill reached this stage. An earlier stakeholders’ engagement in Oyo had finalised the draft. Therefore, this meeting served as a final review before the document goes to the State Executive Council. After that, the State House of Assembly will consider it.
He then urged participants to treat the exercise seriously. Social protection, he stressed, is a collective responsibility. Moreover, he reminded them that anyone could become vulnerable, “regardless of their social or economic status.” He said the proposed bill would help address poverty and improve the welfare of residents across the state.
Ayanleke also thanked the EU and UNICEF for their support. According to him, both partners are helping the state build a comprehensive social protection framework. He added that the needs of Oyo people drive the initiative.
The legislature sent a strong signal of support. Mrs Taiwo Murano Akinola, the Clerk of the Oyo State House of Assembly, gave a goodwill message at the event. She assured participants that the House would speed up consideration and passage once the government presents the bill. In her view, quick action will help vulnerable people in the state benefit sooner.
UNICEF added its voice as well. Mr Mohammed Okorie, who represents the UNICEF Lagos Office, commended the state for developing the bill. He said it will protect vulnerable persons. Furthermore, he promised that UNICEF will keep providing technical support for its successful implementation.
Dr Dairo Titloye, Director of Legal Drafting at the Ministry of Justice, also spoke. He described the bill as important for protecting poor and vulnerable persons. Likewise, he commended all partners for their contributions.
The meeting builds on work that began earlier. The EU funds the SUSI project, which UNICEF and the International Labour Organization implement. The project runs in four states: Abia, Benue, Oyo and Sokoto. In Oyo, it aims to strengthen the state’s social protection system and expand its social register. Officials have also announced plans to enrol an additional 250,000 vulnerable households in that register.
The need is clear. At the project’s launch in Ibadan, a UNICEF official said only about two per cent of Oyo’s population receives any form of social assistance. She argued that “the urgency for improved investment in social protection is now.” A strong legal framework could give programmes the backing they need to last beyond any single administration.
For now, the bill still faces several steps. The State Executive Council must first approve it, and then the Assembly must pass it. Even so, the validation meeting shows broad agreement among government, lawmakers, labour and development partners. Ultimately, the real test will come when the law starts delivering support to those who need it most.
Leave a Reply