A team of officials from the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) has successfully concluded a three-day sensitization and advocacy tour across local government areas in Edo North Senatorial District, aimed at strengthening the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into the State Social Register (SSR).
The initiative, focused on educating field enumerators on the importance of NIN integration as a key requirement for effective social protection delivery. During the sessions, participants were informed that beneficiaries whose records are not updated with their NIN may not be eligible for future government interventions.
Explaining the technical process, the Team noted that records without NIN integration have been migrated to a separate platform known as ‘TF’. However, such records are automatically restored to the main Social Register once the NIN is successfully integrated, ensuring data accuracy and inclusion.
Addressing the enumerators, the State Coordinator, Dr. Lucky Oviawe, emphasized the urgency of the exercise and announced a two-month timeline for the completion of NIN integration for all beneficiaries. He added that while harvesting those already updated but without NIN, the beneficiaries in the Social Register should also be updated to get their more recent information.
Dr. Oviawe enjoined the enumerators to enroll new Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHH) into the SSR, and charged enumerators to approach the assignment with dedication, noting that outstanding performance will be duly rewarded.
To ensure practical understanding, the Head of Monitoring and Evaluation/MIS, Mr. Sylvanus Alegieuno alongside the MIS Officer I, Mr. Leonard Okunseri, conducted hands-on training sessions to guide enumerators through the step-by-step process of NIN integration.
At Owan East, the Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Aruna Mohammed, warmly received the SOCU Team and pledged full support for the initiative, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to improving the welfare of its citizens through accurate data management.
The SOCU Communications Officer, Mrs. Rose Imonikhe, supported the stakeholders’ engagement and information dissemination throughout the Tour. The sensitization exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the National Social Safety Coordinating Office (NASSCO) in collaboration with World Bank and the Edo State Government to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the delivery of social intervention programmes.
With the increased awareness and cooperation of enumerators, the integration of NIN into the SSR is expected to significantly improve targeting and service delivery. A similar visit will be made to Edo Central and South senatorial districts subsequently.
