Abia State Strengthens Ties with GIZ in Abuja, Pushes Inclusive Social Protection and Poverty Eradication

The Abia State Government has taken another step towards deepening inclusive social protection and sustainable development following a high level engagement with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Abuja.

The delegation was led by the Honourable Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix, alongside the Ministry’s Social Policy Officer, Mr Obinna Uzuegbu. They represented the Abia State Government under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, during the courtesy visit held at the GIZ office.

The team was received by GIZ officials led by Ms Ana Vinambres, Head of Programme for SEPIN SUSI, who commended the Abia State Governor for prioritising professionalism in governance and reform driven leadership.

The visit focused on exploring strategic areas of collaboration in social protection, poverty alleviation, economic resilience, climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods. During the engagement, the Commissioner highlighted key milestones recorded by Abia State in advancing social protection reforms.

Among the achievements outlined were the launch of the €13 million European Union funded Social Protection Strengthening Innovation and Sustainability project in September 2025, the establishment of the Abia State Social Protection Council and its Technical Working Group, and the expansion of the State Social Register to over 1.02 million beneficiaries, representing about 18 percent of the state’s population.

She also noted the enrolment of over 100,000 residents into health insurance schemes, including 35,890 formal sector workers, 70,760 vulnerable persons supported through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, and 17,602 students enrolled via equity funding.

Additional interventions include NG CARES supported cash transfers, livelihood support programmes and disability inclusive initiatives, as well as the passage of the Senior Citizens Centre Law in 2025. Community driven efforts such as the Unubiko Foundation supported Primary Health Centre and the construction of 30 housing units for vulnerable households were also cited.

Mrs Felix further disclosed that the state has developed a draft Social Protection Policy containing 47 measures spanning social assistance, social insurance and labour market interventions. According to her, the policy framework is designed to be fully digitised to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability.

She stressed that Abia State is transitioning from traditional safety nets to adaptive and shock responsive social protection systems, with a strong focus on climate smart agriculture, green jobs and resilient value chains.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to make targeted appeals to GIZ for technical and financial support in areas such as unified beneficiary management systems, shock responsive cash transfers for climate and economic disruptions, and structured graduation pathways combining coaching, cash support, asset building, skills acquisition, agro processing and market access.

She also emphasised the importance of embedding disability inclusion and gender responsiveness across all interventions.

In response, GIZ officials outlined their operational focus across four clusters covering agriculture, private sector promotion, peace and justice, and ECOWAS and regional cooperation. They shared insights on citizen engagement through town hall meetings and ward level structures, gender mainstreaming strategies including women focused microfinance, systems strengthening through legal and fiscal reforms, and innovative approaches such as anticipatory cash interventions.

Abia State was encouraged to participate in an upcoming high level consultation scheduled for May 2026, to be convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, where new national priorities and partnership areas are expected to be defined.

The state reaffirmed its readiness to co invest, strengthen systems and leverage private sector partnerships in scaling social protection outcomes.

Mrs Felix described the engagement as a foundation for scalable solutions that will move households from vulnerability to prosperity, while expressing appreciation to GIZ for its continued partnership in building a more resilient Abia State.