By Olugbenga Salami
Senate, on Thursday, took a strategic legislative process aimed at reducing extreme poverty in Nigeria by passing a bill seeking to establish a national social welfare service for second reading.
The proposed law, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC Abia North), is designed to provide a structured, data-driven and centralised approach to managing social welfare programmes across the country.
Kalu, while presenting the bill, particularly proposed the establishment of safety centres across the federation to identify eligible households, deliver support, and monitor outcomes, lamenting that extreme poverty remains one of Nigeria’s most persistent challenges despite numerous government interventions over the years.
He noted that the country currently lacks a unified institution capable of coordinating social protection initiatives efficiently and transparently.
According to him, the bill proposes the creation of a Social Welfare Service Department under the ministry responsible for humanitarian affairs, with operational offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
He explained that the new service would be responsible for designing and implementing welfare programmes including food and cash transfers, education stipends, housing support, subsidies for marginal farmers, credit schemes, and allowances for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Kalu said the agency would also develop mechanisms to ensure that only genuinely vulnerable Nigerians benefit from the programmes.
He added that the bill mandates the creation and maintenance of a register of beneficiaries and graduates to improve transparency and track long-term impact.
Kalu outlined eligibility criteria, which include households earning below N5, 000 monthly, day labourers paid below N3, 000 per job, low-income artisans, subsistence farmers, and residents of slum communities.
He said these criteria would prevent political interference and arbitrary selection.
Contributing, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru (APC Kwara South) said the success of social programmes depends on reliable data, while the Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC Borno North) noted that the bill aligns with scientifically driven models like those used by China to lift millions out of poverty.
In his own, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC Ogun West) observed that many social intervention programmes have failed to reach intended beneficiaries due to poor coordination.
He described the establishment of safety centres as a “right step in the right direction.”
Also, Senator Osita Ngwu (APC Enugu West) added that Nigeria lacks a centralised system for tracking beneficiaries, making the proposed framework necessary.
In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, referred the bill to the Committee on Public Service Matters and to report back within four weeks.
