From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
Foreign C Common Wealth Development Office (FCDO) through Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF Nigeria), celebrated the successful completion of its program (Inclusive Social Protection Systems) in Jigawa State.
Speaking during the Close-out ceremony, the Acting Country Director, Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF), Mr Andualem Fekadu said, the ACF Close-out does not mean the final collapse of the program but a transition, a shift from externally supported implementation to deeper state ownership, community-led action, and institutionalised reforms that can outlast any single grant.
He explained that, for Action Against Hunger, this milestone reaffirms belief that strong systems, not short-term projects, are what ultimately protect vulnerable households from poverty, shocks, and exclusion.
While highlighting some achievements recorded, he said, Working together with government institutions, civil society, and FCDO, we have advanced several transformational results including Strengthened State Institutions by given support to government agencies to assess their internal systems, clarify capacity gaps, and strengthen coordination through the Social Protection Council and the Technical Working Group.
He maintained that, more Inclusive Social Protection Practices as more stakeholders are now able to identify and address the needs of persons often left behind, including persons with disabilities, older persons, women, and other marginalized groups.
Mr Fekadu added that, the intervention also empowered Community and Civil Society, 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.
The project also build evidence-Based Decision-making through technical assistance and capacity building, decision-makers now have improved datasets, analysis, and feedback mechanisms that will strengthen targeting, benefit adequacy, and responsiveness of social protection interventions.
According to him, the project is successful due to Jigawa government’s political will and consistently demonstrated commitment to strengthening its social protection landscape.Coordination structures: The TWG and Social Protection Council served as strong anchors for state-driven reforms and Community involvement: Grassroots voices shaped the programme’s direction and kept it accountable. Partnerships: ACF Nigeria, FCDO, government agencies, and civil society actors forged a model of collaboration that can be replicated nationwide.
“As we close this grant, we celebrate not an ending, but a continuation of shared responsibility. Together, we have planted seeds of institutional transformation that will continue to grow with the commitment of all stakeholders present today.Thank you for your trust, collaboration, and dedication”, he said.
While delivering his speech on behalf of members of the Social Protection Council, the permanent secretary ministry of Budget and economic planning and also secretary of the SP Council Alhaji Muhammad Sagar Commended Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF Nigeria), for the support given to Jigawa State.
He assured that, Jigawa State government will do everything possible to sustain the effort as all the needed structures are already established by the ACF.
“We commended Action Against Hunger for boosting our Social Protection Programs across 21 agencies in which as a result the life of thousands vulnerable people improve across the 27 local government in the state.
He maintained that, ” The present administration in the state will do everything possible to sustain this effort as the present administration is committed towards improving the life of it’s citizens particularly the vulnerable”.
