By Bashir Arabi
Dutse- The Action Against Hunger (ACF), has lauded the Jigawa State’s commitment to strengthen its social protection landscape.
Mr Andaulem Fekadu, ACF’s Ag Country Director in Nigeria, gave the commendation
while speaking during the closure of the FCDO-Funded “Inclusive Social Protection Systems and Promoting Rights-Based Interventions in Jigawa state.
Fekadu also acknowledged the steadfast leadership of the Jigawa state government in championing social protection in Nigeria and serving as a model to all.
He further noted the commitment of the State Social Protection Council, as well as the enduring partnership of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), whose investment has helped drive meaningful progress for the people of the state.
The acting country director pointed out that while today closes a funding cycle, it does not close our collective ambition. The moment represents a transition, a shift from externally supported implementation to deeper state ownership, community-led action, and institutionalised reforms that can outlast any single grant.
According to him, for ACF, this milestone reaffirms its belief that strong systems, not short-term projects, are what ultimately protect vulnerable households from poverty, shocks, and exclusion.
Highlighting its joint achievements, Fekadu said working together with government institutions, civil society, and FCDO, have advanced several transformational results, including strengthened state institutions, community and Civil Society empowerment, where local organisations, community advocates, and media actors now have improved skills, tools, and platforms to influence policy discussions, monitor programme delivery, and champion inclusive reforms.
On the area of evidence-based decision-making, the country director said through technical assistance and capacity building, decision makers in the state now have improved datasets, analysis and feedback mechanisms that will strengthen targeting, benefit adequacy and responsiveness of social protection interventions.
“This project represents a shared commitment to building a social protection system that leaves no one behind,” the country director added.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Jigawa, Mr Aminu Usman, who was represented by Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, said with support from FCDO, the Social Protection Council has been established in the state to combat poverty and vulnerability.
Usman, who is the Chairman of Council, commended CSOs, PWDs, media and other stakeholders for their support throughout the journey.
“The state remains committed to sustaining inclusive social protection reforms,” Usman assured.
Also in his goodwill message, Mr Sagir Muhammad, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget, noted that from Nov. 2025 to date, ACF has been involved in various social protection activities in the state.
Muhammad, who is the Secretary of the Social Protection Council, commended ACF for its various interventions, including capacity building to strengthen the state social protection system at various levels.
“It is our hope that ACF will look at the possibility of extending this service and I hope our request will be honoured, as we will be waiting anxiously for that.
“This closing ceremony should be an end, but a momentum for a new chapter as more than 20 MDAs in the state are offering more than 40 social protection activities,” Muhammad said.
It is worthy to note that the FCDO, in partnership with ACF Nigeria, supported an initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive, rights-based social protection systems in Jigawa state.
The project focused on ensuring that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women, older persons and other marginalized groups are better represented within the state social protection structures.
The main objective of the project was to improve inclusiveness and effectiveness of Jigawa’s social protection system.
The major achievements of the projects included strengthened institutional coordination, improved capacity for inclusive data collection, empowered civil society and raised awareness on rights-based social protection.
In her contribution, Maryam Ibrahim, the Secretary, Jigawa social protection platform (JISOP) appreciated the ACF for its numerous support to the platform, especially capacity building and mentorship.
Ibrahim said these supports enabled the platform to record significant achievements in influencing government initiatives around social protection in the state where N500 million was earmarked for Old Age Social Protection Scheme, benefit package and number of beneficiaries were increased. She added that within the six months project, the platform was also supported by ACF around sensitization, advocacy engagements and assessment of three social Protection programs and old age and social security scheme
The Secretary further appreciated the State Government for providing an enabling environment for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operations.
