Beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in Koko Community, Warri North Local Government Area, have appealed to the Delta State Government and other authorities to continue the monthly 5,000 naira support that has helped them keep their children in school and meet basic needs. Their appeal was made during a community outreach session organised by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice in partnership with Bread for the World in Germany and the New Initiative for Social Development under the EU-co-funded ActNaija Project. The one day event focused on raising community awareness on social protection programmes in Delta State.
During the outreach, several beneficiaries described the Conditional Cash Transfer as a lifeline for low income households. A mother explained how the monthly 5,000 naira helped her pay school fees for her children despite the current economic challenges. She appealed to the government to “please continue the payment so that families like ours can survive, and our children can remain in school.” Other participants shared stories of joining cooperatives and saving a portion of their cash transfers to start small businesses such as chair and table rentals. They said the support helped them escape extreme poverty and build simple but sustainable sources of income.
Their testimonies highlighted the role of social protection schemes in improving financial inclusion, strengthening community resilience, and supporting household welfare. The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor, who was represented by the Deputy Executive Director, Leo Atakpu, stressed the importance of social protection in reducing vulnerability and ensuring fair access to available welfare programmes. He noted that although Delta State has launched various interventions under the MORE Agenda, including Cash Transfers, GEST, AGILE, and Widows Welfare initiatives, many rural households still lack information about these opportunities.
“This outreach aims to close that information gap,” Rev. Ugolor said. “Social protection works. We have heard firsthand how it is keeping children in school and helping families rebuild their lives. Sustaining these programmes is essential in the fight against poverty.”
The outreach recorded positive results as residents received practical guidance on how to access ongoing programmes. The State Operations Coordinating Unit also announced that a new round of Social Register enrollment will begin at the end of November. Community members were advised to prepare their NIN, BVN, and bank details, which are now required for enrollment. SOCU addressed complaints from residents who felt excluded from earlier cycles, explaining that mismatched BVN and account information often caused disqualification, and urged them to update their records.
ANEEJ explained that through the ActNaija Project, it is working in several states to strengthen coordination on social protection, increase access to the National Social Register, and ensure that vulnerable groups know how to register and benefit from government programmes. The organisation thanked the Delta State Government, the Warri North Local Government Authority, traditional rulers, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, and the media for supporting efforts to expand inclusive social protection delivery.
Rev. Ugolor reaffirmed ANEEJ’s commitment to ensuring that families in all communities can access social protection systems that promote dignity, opportunity, and economic security. He added that the ActNaija Project is currently being implemented in Borno, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, Ondo, Osun, Kogi, and the FCT.
