Benue Strengthens Social Protection Systems as Partners Push for Inclusive Data, Durable Solutions

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Stakeholders across government, development partners, and civil society have called for stronger coordination, data harmonization, and inclusive systems to drive sustainable development in Benue State.

The call was made a two-day high-level policy dialogue on the utilization of the State Social Register organized by the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD) in collaboration with the Centre for Redefining Alternative Civic Engagement for Africa (RACE) and the Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI), with support from the Embassy of France, focused on integrating Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) into the Social Register as a pathway to long-term resilience and economic empowerment.

The meeting disclosed that close to 500,000 households across the 23 local government areas Benue State have been captured in the Social Register with 200 individuals enrolled in Yelewata, Guma LGA.

Speaking at the opening session, the Director General of BICD, Dr. Leonard Viashima, emphasized that the Social Register remains a critical tool for transparency, accountability, and evidence-based planning adding that strengthening its utilization would enable the State to better target vulnerable populations and improve coordination across sectors.

Development partners echoed this position, stressing the urgent need for improved data systems and collaboration.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Health Insurance Agency (BENSHIA), Prof. Kenneth Kove, highlighted ongoing efforts to expand health insurance coverage, revealing that over 200 individuals had already been enrolled in Yelewata, with plans to scale up to thousands more, underscoring the importance of reliable data for via the social register for effective service delivery.

Similarly, representatives of the State Coordinating Unit (SOCU), Mr. Orduen Angula, disclosed that nearly 500,000 households across all 23 local government areas had been captured in the Social Register, while acknowledging persistent challenges such as data duplication, limited accessibility, and inconsistencies in data entry due to displacement.

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), represented by Dr, Donald Komgbenda drew attention to critical gaps in the inclusion of displaced populations, particularly those in host communities, noting that weak coordination in that regard and reluctance among partners to share data continue to hinder progress.

However, beyond identifying gaps, the stakeholders highlighted a clear shift toward building systems that go beyond short-term interventions. Representatives of RACE and GERI were particularly commended for their strategic role in driving this transition.

The meeting noted that through the POWER Project, both organizations are not only supporting policy dialogue but are actively strengthening the foundational systems that underpin sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable groups, especially members of the TAHAV Women Cooperative.

“Their approach goes beyond humanitarian assistance by linking women-led cooperatives to structured social protection systems, market opportunities, and coordinated development frameworks. This ensures that displaced and vulnerable women are not confined to temporary relief but are positioned for long-term economic inclusion, resilience, and access to broader opportunities.”

Speaking during goodwill messages, representatives of both organizations emphasized the need for deliberate inclusion of women and girls in IDP camps within the Social Register, noting their heightened vulnerability and the importance of ensuring they are captured within formal systems.

Participants at the dialogue also called for the adoption of biometric systems, regular data updates, and clearer governance structures to enhance the credibility and usability of the register. The World Health Organization (WHO), among other partners, recommended accelerated efforts toward finalizing policy frameworks and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

The stakeholders expressed commitment to deepen collaboration, improve data sharing, and institutionalize coordination mechanisms across agencies. Benjamin Yager noted that the dialogue marks a significant step in repositioning Benue State’s social protection system, from fragmented, project-based interventions to a more coherent, data-driven, and inclusive framework capable of delivering sustainable outcomes.

For the TAHAV Women Cooperative and other vulnerable groups, the implications are clear: a transition from dependency on short-term aid to structured pathways for economic empowerment, stability, and long-term development integration.