By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

The National Economic Council (NEC), on Thursday approved the reconstituted National Social Protection Council to be chaired by the Vice President, with six state governors as members.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu, made this known while briefing State House correspondents at the end of 158th NEC meeting, held at the presidential villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was chaired by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is the Chairman of the NEC.

Bagudu said other members of the council are the Ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Labour and Employment, as well as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The minister said that the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would serve as the secretariat of the council.

“The National Economic Council considered a memorandum on the national social protection policy as an instrument for accelerated development in Nigeria.

“The first national social protection policy was adopted by the country in the year 2017, and it gave birth to a number of social protection policies, which were then domiciled in the office of the vice president.

“However, in 2019, those programmes were all moved and consolidated to create the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Eradication. Since then, there have been a number of developments.”

Bagudu emphasised that the need to calibrate social protection has been appreciated better in tandem with the 2026-2030 National Development Plan to create a one-trillion-dollar economy and include everyone.

“The council today considered the revised national social protection policy. Most importantly, the council noted that social protection is a constitutional responsibility bestowed on the three tiers of government.

“Therefore, they must work collaboratively and cooperatively.

“The council considered and approved that all social protection measures should be assessed so that they can be calibrated and promoted, and ensure that it is done in cooperation with the states and local governments as the constitution intended,” Bagudu said.

The minister said the council resolved that the revised policy on national social protection as presented, be presented to the federal executive council for implementation.

“NEC urges states to align with the social protection policies, laws, and budgets as enunciated in the policy,” Bagudu said. (NAN)