The Lagos State Government has begun integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) into its Single Social Register across its 57 Local Government Areas (LGA) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ope George, the state Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, disclosed this at a press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday.

” This initiative is not just an update to the register; it is a transformative step in our collective mission to ensure that no resident of Lagos is left behind.

“We are building a more robust and inclusive database so that resources reach the right people at the right time for the right impact.

“The state’s Single Social Register would ensure that social protection resources are delivered effectively to those in need.

“The register currently holds 688,759 heads of households representing 2,681,507 individual members,” he said.

The commissioner said that the register had been the backbone of the state government’s intervention strategies and a trusted tool for targeting the most vulnerable.

“Under a month, the SPCD (Social Protection Coordinating Directorate) has updated over 130,000 household records by linking NINs with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency database across all LGAs and LCDAs.

” We started on April 9, 2024, and with the look of things, we know that more residents will key into this,” he said.

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to inclusive governance, noting that field officers had been engaging community leaders and addressing challenges to ensure the process would run smoothly.

“Data is important but, at the same time, we don’t want the data to get to wrong hands; so, we guard it jealously.

“This initiative is not just an update but a transformative step to ensure that no resident of Lagos is left behind in accessing social protection measures, in line with our THEMES Plus Agenda,” George said.

He thanked stakeholders including local governments, community development associations, traditional rulers, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office for support.

“I want to appeal to residents to cooperate with field officers by making their NINs available and encouraging others to do the same.

“This is a clarion call to action. Every Lagos resident has a role to play in ensuring the register is updated, accurate, inclusive, and impactful,” he said.

Mrs Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, the Director of Social Protection Coordination, urged Lagos residents to take advantage of the data coalition exercise.

“I want to appeal to our people to come out when our field officers approach them for their NINs.

“We keep enlightening them to key into this exercise and help to make our jobs easier,” she said.