Lagos affects 18.5 million lives, delivers N130bn Social Protection Support
From left, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Oko; Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Lekan Balogun; Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, during the Year 2025 Lagos State Government Ministerial Press Briefing by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos, at Press Center Alausa, Ikeja.
Lagos affects 18.5 million lives, delivers N130bn Social Protection Support
The Lagos State Government on Monday said it delivered an impressive N130 billion in social protection support, benefiting over 18.5 million Lagosians.
This milestone was achieved through a series of coordinated interventions designed to ease the impact of socio-economic challenges across the state, including the transport subsidy allowance and the OUNJE EKO food subsidy programme.
At a Ministerial Press Briefing held on Wednesday, in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, highlighted that these initiatives had enhanced access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income households, while also mitigating the effects of the recent fuel subsidy removal.
He said these social protection efforts demonstrated the state’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the welfare of its residents.
Key among the interventions was the improved targeting of beneficiaries, achieved by linking the Lagos State Social Register (LASSR) with the National Identity Number (NIN) through a collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
He stated that this strategic move has enhanced the precision of delivering social support to those who need it most.
“We have taken a significant step forward in improving the accuracy and inclusion of social protection initiatives through this linkage,” said George.
“This has allowed us to better identify and reach vulnerable populations, ensuring our interventions are both efficient and effective,” he added.
He also disclosed that the state government is focused on strengthening grassroots data systems, saying that as part of this effort, 400 enumerators were trained to collect household data across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
According to him, this initiative is central to evidence-based policy planning and ensures equitable resource distribution in line with the needs of local communities.
Speaking on the broader economic landscape, George reiterated Lagos’s role as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse and a key player in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He pointed to the recent release of the 2025 Lagos Economic Development Update (LEDU), a strategic document designed to guide decision-making across vital sectors.
George noted that the update, which included assessments of policies in transportation, social protection, and other areas, demonstrated the state’s continued commitment to data-driven governance and inclusive growth.
“Our economic planning is now more evidence-based than ever before,” George noted. “Through enhanced research capacities and strategic partnerships, we are able to make informed decisions that will benefit Lagos and its residents.”
The Commissioner further emphasized the importance of the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052, which has been institutionalized with real-time tracking via a dedicated dashboard.
He said this initiative ensured that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) aligned their operations with the state’s long-term development goals.
In addressing critical issues like food insecurity and malnutrition, George said the state has decentralized governance through local committees to create a unified, grassroots approach.
“This decentralized structure allows for a more responsive and agile intervention to food and nutrition challenges.
“As part of the state’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, over 600 pre-payment certificates have been certified across LGAs, ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of public projects.
“Additionally, the Ministry is digitizing its reporting tools and preparing to launch a Project Management Report Tracker Portal to monitor and evaluate government projects in real time,” he said.
The commissioner stated that Lagos has also made significant strides in environmental sustainability.
“Initiatives like Eco-Circulate, EBN, and ECONexus have not only contributed to environmental conservation but also created over 100 direct and 1,500 indirect green jobs. These programs have supported more than 5,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting climate-resilient, circular business models, diverting 20,000 kilograms of waste from landfills and preventing over 10,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions,” he said.
George concluded with a call to action for greater public awareness and engagement in sustainable practices, noting that Lagos is positioning itself as a leader in the global movement towards a circular economy.
