By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Government has commenced the profiling and verification of vulnerable people in Zamfara State to strengthen social protection delivery and ensure interventions reach genuine beneficiaries.
The exercise, implemented by the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) through its Grant for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) Programme, is aimed at establishing a verified database across selected communities, wards, and internally displaced people (IDP) camps.
The initiative was announced by the National Programme Manager of the GVG Programme, Hajiya Ashiat Alubankudi, who led her team to Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, in Gusau.
Alubankudi said the exercise would provide reliable information on vulnerable households, enabling the government to identify beneficiaries based on verified needs.
“We are not here simply to collect names. We want to establish a credible and verified database of vulnerable people, understand their circumstances, and ensure that the intervention is based on genuine need,” she said.
She disclosed that about 400 pre-identified vulnerable people would receive ₦10,000 each as immediate support, while the main empowerment phase, involving livelihood and economic-strengthening items, would commence in the coming months, following approvals.
She explained that the programme goes beyond immediate assistance by improving livelihoods, strengthening economic resilience, and promoting self-reliance.
“Our intention is not merely to provide temporary assistance but to support vulnerable persons, strengthen their livelihoods, improve their economic resilience, and make them self-reliant,” she added.
Similarly, the Zamfara State Programme Manager of the Grant for Vulnerable Groups, Hauwa'u Barau Suleiman, said the state government was developing the Z-GVG initiative into a sustainable social protection programme.
Suleiman explained that the programme targets the vulnerable, such as the women, youths, people with disabilities, older persons, and conflict-affected households, as well as beneficiaries of social protection with skills development and economic inclusion.
In his response, the Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal welcomed the initiative and pledged his administration’s full support, describing credible data as fundamental to effective governance and sustainable development.
He said accurate information was essential for identifying vulnerable populations’ needs, setting development priorities, and directing resources effectively.
The governor also stressed transparency and accountability, saying the programme’s success would depend on reaching intended beneficiaries without manipulation or exclusion.
He called on all stakeholders to uphold high standards of accountability to ensure genuinely vulnerable people were not denied assistance.
Lawal assured NSIPA of the state government’s collaboration with local government authorities, traditional institutions, and community leaders to facilitate the exercise.
The profiling initiative is expected to provide a stronger basis for targeted social protection and economic empowerment in Zamfara State, NSIPA said.
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