The Lagos State Government has disbursed more than N2.13 billion to 3,301 vulnerable residents under the Eko Cares Financial Assistance Programme within the last one year, as the state ramps up social welfare interventions targeted at low-income households, students, small business owners and persons living with disabilities.
The disclosure was made by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen, during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa.
According to Tajudeen, the Eko Cares programme has become one of the Lagos State Government’s major social intervention schemes designed to support residents struggling with economic hardship while also strengthening trust between citizens and government institutions.
He said the intervention currently focuses on indigent residents, elderly citizens, women, students, vulnerable families and small business operators across the state.
Tajudeen disclosed that since the programme was launched in 2020, a total of 11,991 households have benefited from the initiative, with cumulative disbursement now exceeding N4.6 billion.
He explained that beneficiaries received support in different forms, including direct cash grants, educational assistance, payment of medical bills, housing support and business start-up funding.
“The intervention is meant to improve economic inclusion and provide support for residents facing financial challenges. Women, persons with disabilities and elderly citizens remain priority groups under the programme,” Tajudeen said.
The latest figures show that Lagos is increasing budgetary commitment to the programme despite rising economic pressure across the country. Tajudeen revealed that the state government allocated N3.14 billion to Eko Cares in the 2026 budget to ensure continuity of the intervention.
The programme has become one of the welfare channels through which the Sanwo-Olu administration responds to growing concerns around inflation, cost of living and economic vulnerability affecting households in Lagos.
Beyond financial assistance, the Lagos State Government also expanded other welfare-linked programmes connected to the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement.
Tajudeen said the Mother, Infant and Child Development Programme (MICHD) provided nutritional support to 2,315 pregnant women across the six health districts in Lagos during the current review cycle.
He stated that since its launch in December 2020, the programme has reached 8,595 beneficiaries, with over N641 million spent on maternal support and nutritional interventions.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to improve maternal healthcare awareness, encourage antenatal attendance and reduce health risks associated with childbirth.
The Special Adviser also disclosed that the state distributed 20,000 food packs across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas as part of its food palliative programme.
He said the intervention reached about 100,000 residents, especially widows, elderly persons, low-income families and persons living with disabilities.
Tajudeen noted that the state government is combining welfare support with grassroots engagement and civic participation initiatives to improve public involvement in governance.
According to him, 17,783 students across 17 schools participated in civic education programmes focused on governance, public service and civic responsibility during the review period.
He added that cumulative beneficiaries of the initiative have risen to 25,671 students across 25 schools statewide.
The programmes, he explained, used storytelling, arts, book readings and interactive sessions to educate students on civic duties, anti-kidnapping laws and the Child Rights Law.
Tajudeen further stated that over 89,000 residents participated in governance sensitisation and civic empowerment campaigns organised in underserved communities across Lagos.
On voter education, he said 78,750 residents were engaged through advocacy tours and outreach programmes organised alongside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
According to him, the campaigns were designed to improve political participation, accountability and inclusive governance ahead of future elections.
The office also carried out advocacy engagements across Lagos Central, Lagos East and Lagos West Senatorial Districts involving traders, transport unions, artisans, market leaders, youths and women groups.
Tajudeen said quarterly town hall meetings and community-based engagements with Community Development Associations and Community Development Committees helped strengthen communication between residents and government agencies.
On digital governance, he revealed that the CitizensGate platform now has more than 750,000 registered users, with 120 Ministries, Departments and Agencies integrated into the system.
He said the platform recorded 620 feedback reports during the current cycle, while 490 complaints and enquiries were resolved successfully, representing an 83 per cent resolution rate.
According to him, the platform currently supports services including LASRRA pre-registration, LASHMA portal integration, social intervention registration and project monitoring.
Tajudeen said the Sanwo-Olu administration remains committed to participatory governance and inclusive development, adding that the government plans to further expand welfare support and citizen engagement initiatives across Lagos.
