The Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB) has played host to a delegation from the Oyo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning on a three-day peer-learning visit aimed at fostering inter-state knowledge exchange on social protection implementation.
The delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Tunde Ayanleke, was warmly received by the Permanent Secretary of MEPB, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, on Tuesday.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Ojo emphasised the critical role of collaboration between states in strengthening social protection frameworks.
She emphasised that such knowledge-sharing initiatives enhance governance, promote best practices, and reinforce the commitment of both Lagos and Oyo States to sustainable development.
The Director of the Social Protection Coordinating Department (SPCD), Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, provided an in-depth presentation on the department’s establishment, vision, and core mandate. She explained that while the SPCD coordinates social protection interventions, implementation is carried out by relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Highlighting the key strategies behind the department’s success, she noted the Community-Based Targeting Teams’ (CBTTs) role in generating the Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) across all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). She further emphasised the importance of stakeholder collaboration, engagement with political leadership, capacity building, intervention tracking, and continuous sensitisation efforts.
As part of the visit, the Oyo State delegation also engaged with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), where they were received by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Yetunde Kalesanwo. She provided insights into the ministry’s mandate, particularly its interventions in women’s development and the eradication of gender-based violence. She highlighted the critical role of the SPCD and the LASSR in ensuring accurate beneficiary data, which has significantly improved the ministry’s impact on vulnerable populations.
Additionally, the delegation interacted with core departments within MEPB, including the Budget Department, Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Economic Intelligence Department, and Monitoring & Evaluation Department. Directors of these departments delivered comprehensive presentations on their functions, responsibilities, and achievements in driving effective economic planning and policy implementation in Lagos State.
After the visit, Mr. Tunde Ayanleke expressed profound appreciation to the Lagos State team for their hospitality and openness in sharing best practices. He commended MEPB’s achievements, particularly the effectiveness of the SPCD model, and noted that the insights gained would greatly enhance Oyo State’s approach to social protection.
This peer-learning engagement underscores the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in strengthening governance and ensuring the effective implementation of social protection policies across Nigerian states.