Francesca Odimgbe
The Lagos State Government has embarked on updating its Single Social Register and linking it with the National Identity Number (NIN) to improve social protection and make sure welfare programs reach the most vulnerable residents.
This initiative, which began on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, is being conducted across all 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.
According to the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, the move is a direct response to the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who called for the reinforcement of the National Social Register (NSR) and for each state to maintain a synchronized and reliable database of its vulnerable populations.
Mr George emphasized the strategic significance of the update on Tuesday during a press conference on the NIN integration with the NSR, held at the Ministry’s conference room in Alausa. He said, “Through this integration, we are not only building a more robust and inclusive register, but also ensuring that resources are delivered to the right people at the right time for the right impact,” he stated.
The Lagos State Single Social Register, a dynamic database managed by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, currently holds data on approximately 688,759 heads of households, comprising over 2.68 million individual members. According to Mr. George, the integration of NINs is essential for transparency, credibility, and the verifiability of the register.
“This is not just about updating a database—it is a transformative step to ensure that no resident is left behind in accessing social protection and intervention programs,” Mr. George said.
He noted that, in just under a month, the Social Protection Coordination Department (SPCD), in collaboration with community-based targeting teams, has successfully linked NINs to over 130,000 household entries across the 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.
Mr. George, however, appealed to all Lagos residents to cooperate with field officers by making their NINs available and encouraging their neighbors to do the same.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, in her welcome address highlighted the broader significance of the exercise. “This is not just a media briefing—it is a clarion call. The integration of NIN with the social register is a critical step in identifying and verifying beneficiaries for social intervention programs. It enhances accuracy, eliminates duplication, and ensures inclusivity,” she said.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transparency and inclusive governance, and acknowledged the vital role of the media in educating the public and amplifying awareness.
“We urge the media to help us spread the message that this is not merely an administrative process, but a transformational initiative for equitable and effective social protection,” she concluded.
The Social Protection Coordinating Department, which oversees the Lagos State Single Social Register, led by Mrs Oluwakemi Adedeji reported that more than 710,000 households have been registered so far with a substantial number already receiving benefits through initiatives like the National Cash Assistance Scheme (NCAS).
However, Mrs Adedeji acknowledged challenges, especially household apathy and scepticism.
The Lagos State Government is calling on every household to participate actively in the update process, affirming that this effort will lay a solid foundation for better service delivery and improved governance outcomes for all residents.