By Joan Nwagwu
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says it has trained more than 5,000 specialists across Africa as part of efforts to expand social protection systems on the continent.
Mrs Vanessa Phala-Moyo, ILO Country Director, disclosed this at the TRANSFORM Certificates Issuance Ceremony for a new cohort of Nigerians under the Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) project on Tuesday in Abuja.
The event was organised by the ILO in collaboration with the Federal Government and UNICEF, with funding support from the European Union (EU).
Phala-Moyo said the training was designed to build the capacity of professionals to design, implement and manage social protection interventions effectively.
“The training is aimed at equipping professionals with the skills to design, implement and effectively manage social protection interventions.
“It is about building a strong pool of experts who can strengthening institutions and improve service delivery across the country.
“We want to ensure that the capacity we are building translates into real impact for vulnerable populations,” she said.
According to her, the TRANSFORM initiative, developed in 2016 at the request of the African Union, has been implemented in about 30 African countries.
She explained that the programme was implemented through a joint partnership involving the ILO and other UN agencies, including UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Phala-Moyo said the newly certified trainers formed part of a growing network of experts expected to drive inclusive policies and strengthen institutions in Nigeria.
She urged beneficiaries to utilise the knowledge acquired to train others and expand the reach of social protection interventions, particularly among vulnerable groups.
“The certificate you are receiving is not just a participation document but a professional recognition of your competence as practitioners in social protection,” she said.
She reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to providing platforms and support for certified trainers to apply their skills toward national development.
Phala-Moyo expressed confidence that the initiative would promote social protection as a key strategy for poverty reduction and inclusive development.
Mrs Chioma Osuji, representative of the European Union, said the EU remained committed to supporting Nigeria in strengthening its social protection systems through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives.
Osuji said the EU-funded SUSI project was designed to enhance institutional frameworks and improve service delivery for vulnerable populations.
She noted that investment in human capacity through initiatives such as the TRANSFORM training was critical to ensuring sustainable and inclusive social protection interventions nationwide.
According to her, the certification of new trainers will expand knowledge at the grassroots and deepen the impact of social protection programmes across the country.
Osuji expressed confidence that collaboration between the EU, ILO and other partners would continue to yield positive outcomes in reducing poverty and inequality in Nigeria.
Some participants commended the funders for supporting the initiative and pledged commitment to advancing its objectives in the country.
They expressed optimism that the investment would have lasting impact through knowledge transfer and capacity development nationwide.
It would be noted that 21 participants successfully completed the training and were inducted into the network of TRANSFORM practitioners in Africa.