Senate Moves to Tackle Extreme Poverty, Advances Bill to Strengthen Social Welfare System SUBHEAD:

The Senate has passed, through second reading, a bill seeking to reduce extreme poverty and strengthen social protection systems through a nationwide social welfare service.

The legislation, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, aims to enhance and consolidate existing social welfare interventions across the country.

Leading the debate, Senator Kalu said the proposal targets “one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges — persistent and widespread poverty.”
He noted that despite numerous interventions over the years, millions of Nigerians still lack access to basic necessities, largely because of the absence of a central, coordinated and data-driven institution to manage welfare programmes effectively.

The bill seeks to establish a Social Welfare Service as a department under the ministry responsible for humanitarian affairs, with offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Senator Kalu, this framework will ensure that welfare initiatives “are not restricted to Abuja but implemented nationwide.”

Under the proposal, the Service would design and execute programmes such as food and cash transfers, education stipends, housing support, subsidies for marginal farmers, credit schemes, and allowances for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
A major highlight of the bill is the creation of Safety Centres across the federation, alongside a national register of beneficiaries and programme graduates to promote accountability and track long-term impact.

The bill also defines clear eligibility criteria, covering households earning below ₦5,000 per month, day labourers earning less than ₦3,000 per job, low-income artisans, subsistence farmers, and residents of slum communities.
Senator Kalu said these standards were designed to prevent political interference and arbitrary selection.

Lawmakers expressed unanimous support, stressing the need to curb corruption, eliminate inefficiencies in distribution, and ensure transparency.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Public Service, with a directive to report back within four weeks.