Niger SOCU, NIMC, NASSCO Partner to train 125 Enumerators in Niger

Following plans to ensure that all social interventions get to the most vulnerable among Nigerlites, the Niger State Operations and Coordinating Unit (SOCU) has on Monday disclosed that it has started the training of 125 Enumerators from across the 25 local government areas of the state.

While declaring the 3-day Training of Trainers (TOT) on integrating the National Identification Number (NIN) into the National Social Register (NSR) opened, the Commissioner for Planning Commission, Mustapha Ndajiwo said the training will not only equip participants with tools to manage data more efficiently but to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the National Social Register (NSR).

Speaking at the 3 Day Step Down training organized by the State Operations and Coordinating Unit (SOCU) of the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) in collaboration with the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), the Commissioner who was represented by Permanent Secretary of the Planning Commission Hajia Aishetu Usman, said for the training, a team of 5 persons were carefully selected from each Local Government Area.

Accordingly, he said “the participants will be equipped and we will ensure that all social interventions get to the most vulnerable among Nigerlites and Nigerians at large.”

It should be noted that the collaboration between NASSCO, SOCU and NIMC is to accomplish the Presidential directive of mainstreaming the National Identity Number in the National Social Register, aimed at achieving the priority objectives of this President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘’Renewed Hope and the New Niger Agenda of Governor Umaru Bago’’ that seek to improve livelihoods and address the economic challenges faced by the poor and most vulnerable households in the State and the Country at large.

Ndajiwo further disclosed that the participants are well-prepared to handle the NIN enrolment device to further expand the NIMC coverage within the state.

Admonishing the participants, he said “you will become the key drivers of this process, and your ability to grasp and put to use, the skills and knowledge that will be gained from this training will ensure that the integration is successful and sustainable in the long term”.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the State Coordinator, SOCU, Hajia Hauwa said the initiative is a crucial part of government’s efforts, adding that “it is about Training of Enumerators, Local Government Desk Officers and the Grievance Managers in all the 25 Local Government Areas in the State.

“Part of what they will do is integrating the National Identification Number into the National Social Register as well as update the State Social Register.

“The essence of the training is to equip participants with basic knowledge and necessary skills that will enhance their confidence and enable them effectively carry out the task ahead and ultimately achieve the outcomes of the Social Protection policy in the State”.

In her goodwill message, the National Programme Manager, National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Funmi Olotu,  represented by the Zonal Management Information System, Auwalu Ibrahim expressed confidence in the process saying that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to supporting the vulnerable members of the society. We believe every Nigerian deserves to live a dignified life”.

She urged the participants to equip the Community-Based targeting team members and Enumerators with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to carry out the exercise effectively.

She added that, “this exercise practically represents a significant step in advancing the accuracy and reliability of our national data infrastructure, which is instrumental to effective implementation of social protection programs across the country.

The participants will in the next three days engage in both theoretical and practical technical sessions, designed to equip them with the necessary skills for accurate and efficient data collection, validation, and NIN integration.