Betta Edu Initiates National Social Register Verification in Lagos Communities

National Social Register Verification. Dr. Betta Edu, Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has officially started the verification of the National Social Register (NSR) in various communities across Lagos State. This initiative, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, will continue for three weeks.

In a visit to the remote Lagos suburbs, Minister Edu personally conducted door-to-door verifications, even arriving at riverine villages by canoe. She emphasized the government’s commitment to providing financial support to Nigerians for business, education, livelihood, and job creation.

The primary goal of this exercise is to ensure the integrity of the NSR. President Bola Tinubu is determined to provide conditional cash transfers to those genuinely in need, with a focus on improving the lives of the less fortunate.

Edu explained that those included in the register will be rigorously assessed to confirm their eligibility, while areas that were initially overlooked will be incorporated. The government’s aim is to empower households economically, enhancing access to education, healthcare, transportation, and other essential services.

Edu also highlighted the importance of both community and geographical targeting, involving state governments, local authorities, and community leaders to ensure the NSR’s accuracy.

Abdulaziz Danladi, the new National Coordinator for the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), commended Dr. Edu’s dedication to the initiative. He stressed that strengthening the social safety nets and protection systems is crucial for combating extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.

The visit highlight included the distribution of food items and an extensive medical outreach to the vulnerable population in the Makoko community in Lagos State.