Lagos, Nigeria – January 30, 2025 – The Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB) recently welcomed a delegation from Oyo State. This three-day peer-learning visit aimed to enhance inter-state collaboration on social protection implementation.
The delegation, led by Permanent Secretary Mr. Tunde Ayanleke, was warmly received by Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, the Permanent Secretary of MEPB. Their meeting took place on Tuesday, marking the beginning of an important exchange of ideas and strategies.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Ojo emphasized the importance of state cooperation. She stated that developing robust social protection frameworks requires collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing initiatives like this one.
Furthermore, she highlighted that such initiatives promote best practices and enhance governance. This collaboration reaffirms both Lagos and Oyo States’ commitment to sustainable development and effective social protection policies.
The visit included a detailed presentation by Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, Director of the Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPCD). She elaborated on the department’s establishment, vision, and core mandate, clarifying its role in coordinating social protection interventions.
Mrs. Garbadeen-Adedeji also emphasized the significance of Community-Based Targeting Teams (CBTTs). These teams are crucial for generating the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR), which covers all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Moreover, she outlined key strategies contributing to the department’s success. These strategies include stakeholder collaboration, political leadership engagement, capacity building, intervention tracking, and ongoing sensitization efforts.
The Oyo State delegation interacted with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA). Permanent Secretary Mrs. Yetunde Kalesanwo provided insights into the ministry’s initiatives focused on women’s development and eradicating gender-based violence.
She underscored the critical role of the SPCD and LASSR in ensuring accurate beneficiary data. This accurate data has significantly enhanced the ministry’s capacity to impact vulnerable populations effectively.
Additionally, the delegation engaged with several core departments within MEPB. These included the Budget Department, Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Economic Intelligence Department, and Monitoring & Evaluation Department.
Directors from these departments delivered comprehensive presentations on their functions and responsibilities. They also highlighted notable achievements in driving effective economic planning and policy implementation in Lagos State.
Following the visit, Mr. Ayanleke expressed gratitude to the Lagos State team for their hospitality. He commended MEPB’s accomplishments, particularly the effectiveness of the SPCD model, noting its potential to inform Oyo State’s approach to social protection.
This collaborative peer-learning initiative underscores the importance of inter-state cooperation. Knowledge exchange is vital for fortifying governance and ensuring effective implementation of social protection policies across Nigeria.
As both states work towards enhancing their social protection frameworks, the insights gained from this visit are expected to yield long-lasting benefits. Ultimately, these efforts aim to improve the lives of their respective populations.