Oyo Assembly assures accelerated passage of social protection bill

He explained that the speed of passage would depend on the Ministry's timely completion and submission of the draft bill.

He said, “As custodians of executive bills, we are ready to give this bill accelerated passage because of its importance to the people of Oyo State, especially the vulnerable, including children, women, and the economically disadvantaged."

Ogundoyin further assured that the Assembly would not delay legislative action on the bill and would also ensure proper oversight of its implementation in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. He added that members of the House are already being sensitised and are prepared to act swiftly once the bill is presented.

In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Seun Ashamu, stressed the need to harmonise existing social protection initiatives into a single legal framework.

He said the state government has implemented various programmes over the years, including conditional and unconditional cash transfers, the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme, and agricultural support initiatives aimed at improving residents' welfare.

According to him, the proposed bill seeks to consolidate these interventions into a coordinated and inclusive system that will be easily accessible to the poor and vulnerable across the state.

“The objective is to institutionalise and integrate these programmes into a unified social protection system that will ensure sustainability and long-term impact,” he said.

Ashamu added that the initiative is being driven in partnership with UNICEF and the European Union, noting that the engagement with lawmakers is to facilitate better understanding and ensure the smooth passage of the bill.

He further explained that the bill would make social protection a statutory responsibility of the government, guaranteeing sustained funding and implementation regardless of changes in administration.

Also speaking, Mr. Muhammad Okorie, the Social Policy Manager for the UNICEF Lagos Office, commended the Oyo State government for its commitment to social protection through policy direction and budgetary provisions.

He noted that significant allocations to education, healthcare, and social protection in the 2025 budget reflect the government’s dedication to improving the welfare of its citizens.

Okorie, however, pointed out the need to bridge the gap between budgetary provisions and actual impact on vulnerable populations, stressing the importance of legislative backing.

“Without a solid legal framework, clear governance structure and predictable financing, social protection programmes remain exposed to policy changes and economic shocks, often affecting the most vulnerable,” he said.

He added that UNICEF has been supporting the state in strengthening social protection systems and emphasised that legal backing is the next critical step to ensure continuity and effectiveness

Okorie expressed confidence that the bill would receive speedy legislative attention, noting the commitment shown by lawmakers.