Bagudu calls for stronger West African collaboration on social security reforms
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has called for stronger regional collaboration and improved communication strategies to enhance social security systems across West Africa.
Bagudu made the call on Wednesday while speaking as Special Guest at the 2026 International Social Security Association (ISSA) West Africa Technical Seminar, held in Nigeria and organised by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund in collaboration with the International Social Security Association. He said social security remains a shared priority across West Africa, stressing that effective communication and inclusive policies are essential to ensuring vulnerable groups are not left behind.
According to him, countries in the region face similar socio-economic challenges, making collaboration necessary to strengthen social protection systems and improve service delivery.
Bagudu noted that social security systems have evolved from informal support structures to more formal frameworks, adding that platforms such as the seminar provide opportunities for knowledge sharing and adoption of global best practices.
He commended ISSA and Nigerian stakeholders for their efforts in advancing social protection, while highlighting ongoing reforms in Nigeria, including pension restructuring, cash transfer programmes and broader economic policies aimed at inclusive growth.
The minister also referenced the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Ward Development Plan, approved by President Bola Tinubu, which seeks to map economic opportunities across Nigeria’s 8,809 wards and strengthen grassroots governance structures.
“We must be deliberate in ensuring that hardworking Nigerians—farmers, traders, artisans—receive commensurate rewards for their efforts. By strengthening ward-level systems, we can improve visibility, accountability, and the overall effectiveness of social security programmes,” he said.
Bagudu urged participating countries to use the seminar as a platform for deeper cooperation, noting that shared learning remains key to building resilient and inclusive social protection systems across the region.
