The United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF has raised concerns over alarming poverty levels in Oyo State, revealing that nearly half of the state’s population is multidimensionally poor, yet only 2 percent currently receive any form of social assistance.
The warning came during the official launch of the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria project, held in Ibadan. Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, Saeed Wafaa, the Chief of UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere, stressed that social protection should not be seen as a luxury but a lifeline.
Lafoucriere commended Oyo State for several steps taken towards social development, including the establishment of a Social Protection Policy, the creation of a Coordination Department, Ongoing initiatives like free basic education, school feeding programs, and health insurance schemes.
Despite these efforts, she noted that 48.7% of Oyo’s population and an alarming 72.7% of children remain multidimensionally poor. Worse still, only 11% of residents are currently listed in the state’s social registry. UNICEF announced that efforts are underway to significantly expand the social register.
