The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step toward tackling extreme poverty by passing a new bill through second reading.
The proposed law seeks to create a nationwide Social Welfare Service that will consolidate all existing social protection programmes under one coordinated structure.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu sponsored the bill. He told lawmakers that the country still struggles with persistent poverty despite years of interventions.
He blamed the problem on the absence of a central, data-driven institution capable of managing welfare programmes with efficiency, transparency, and fairness.
According to him, millions of Nigerians still lack access to food, housing, quality education and basic support systems.
He said a unified welfare structure would end duplication, reduce corruption and ensure that relief reaches the people who need it the most.
He stressed that poverty remains one of Nigeria’s toughest national challenges and must be addressed urgently.
The bill proposes a Social Welfare Service to operate as a department under the ministry in charge of humanitarian affairs. It mandates the creation of offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Senator Kalu said the structure ensures that social protection programmes do not remain concentrated in Abuja but reach communities across the federation.
Under the proposal, the Service will design and execute key welfare interventions.
These include food and cash transfers, education stipends, housing support, credit schemes for low-income earners, subsidies for marginal farmers and allowances for elderly citizens and persons with disabilities.
The wide range of programmes is meant to support vulnerable households at different levels.
A notable provision is the establishment of Safety Centres across Nigeria.
These centres will serve as hubs for distributing benefits, monitoring implementation and receiving complaints.
The bill also mandates a national register of beneficiaries and programme graduates.
The register aims to improve accountability, reduce fraud and measure long-term impact.
The eligibility criteria are clearly defined. Households earning below ₦5,000 per month qualify for support. Day labourers earning less than ₦3,000 per job are also included.
The bill further covers low-income artisans, subsistence farmers and residents of slum communities. Senator Kalu said these criteria will prevent political interference and block arbitrary selections.
Lawmakers backed the bill unanimously. Many of them highlighted the need to eliminate corruption and close gaps in the distribution chain.
They agreed that Nigeria needs a transparent welfare system driven by data, technology and strict monitoring.
The Senate referred the bill to the Committee on Public Service. The committee is expected to return its report within four weeks.