By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria April 02, 2026(Series News Online)
The European Union (EU)-funded Support to Social Safety Net (SOSAN) project in Kebbi is poised to impact approximately 44,740 vulnerable households. Alhaji Tijani Ahmad-Hamza, Executive Director of Oxfam, disclosed this at the project's state-level inception meeting in Birnin Kebbi with kebbi state government and another implementing partners.
The €10 million project, implemented by Oxfam and its partners, seeks to fortify social protection systems through inclusive, gender-transformative, and climate-smart safety nets. This 36-month initiative will directly benefit 328,838 individuals and indirectly support over 485,000 people across six Local Government Areas (LGAs).
"We are partners working together to deliver this project, which is aimed at rapidly reducing multidimensional poverty and enhancing climate resilience in Kebbi," Ahmad-Hamza said. He explained that the project will establish a secure, automated, and transparent State Social Safety Net Register, enabling the state government to manage interventions effectively and attract future investments.
The initiative will also provide cash transfers, food security initiatives, and capacity building to empower vulnerable households. "The intervention is designed to inject capital directly into the hands of vulnerable households through secure cash transfers, while also supporting local small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he said. It will also establish community food banks to address hunger during lean seasons, as well as provide climate-smart agricultural training and solar-powered technologies to farmers and youth.
Ahmad-Hamza added that the project will support over 2,000 youth and women-led businesses through conditional cash transfers and vocational training in information technology and e-commerce. The Oxfam executive further disclosed that 315 community food banks will be constructed and stocked to strengthen local food systems and mitigate climate-related shocks.
Governor Nasir Idris commended the EU and its implementing partners for their dedication, assuring the state government's commitment to the project's implementation and sustainability. Represented by his Deputy, Sen. Umar Abubakar-Tafida, the governor urged the EU and its partners to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure an effective social register.
The First Lady, Hajiya Zainab Nasare-Nasir, expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its potential to benefit vulnerable groups, particularly women and children. "We are committed to supporting the implementation of this project, which aligns with the state government's efforts on human capital and social development," she said.
Mrs Esther Maliki, State Director of ASWHAN, said the project will target women, youth, and children through conditional cash transfers and livelihood support. Beneficiaries will receive support in agriculture, including access to fertilizers, farm inputs, and improved farming practices.
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