By Olasunkanmi Akoni

The Lagos State Government has disbursed over N2.13 billion to 3,301 vulnerable residents in the last one year under the Eko Cares Financial Assistance Programme as part of intensified efforts to deepen social intervention, strengthen grassroots governance and expand citizen engagement across the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Afolabi Tajudeen, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 ministerial press briefing to commemorate the seventh year administration in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, held at Alausa, Ikeja.

Tajudeen said the Eko Cares initiative remained one of the state government’s flagship social intervention programmes targeted at indigent residents, students, small business owners, persons living with disabilities, elderly citizens and vulnerable households across Lagos.

According to him, the current cycle of the programme benefited 3,301 residents, while cumulative beneficiaries since 2020 have risen to 11,991 households, with total disbursement exceeding N4.6 billion.

He explained that the programme covered direct cash grants, payment of medical bills, educational support, housing assistance and business start-up interventions aimed at improving economic inclusion and restoring public confidence in government.

“Women, persons with disabilities and the elderly remain priority beneficiary groups under the intervention,” he said.

The Special Adviser disclosed that the 2026 budget allocation for the programme stands at N3.14 billion, signalling the government’s commitment to sustaining welfare support amid prevailing economic challenges.

Beyond financial intervention, Tajudeen said the office also expanded its Mother, Infant and Child Development Programme, MICHD, through which 2,315 pregnant women received nutritional support across the six health districts in Lagos during the current cycle.

He stated that the programme, launched in December 2020, had so far reached 8,595 cumulative beneficiaries, with government spending over N641 million on nutritional produce and maternal support initiatives.

According to him, the intervention strengthened maternal healthcare awareness, promoted antenatal attendance and reduced childbirth-related health risks across communities.

Tajudeen further disclosed that the state government distributed 20,000 food packs across all 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas as part of its food palliative programme designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship.

He noted that the intervention directly impacted an estimated 100,000 residents, particularly widows, elderly citizens, low-income families and persons living with disabilities.

Tajideen said the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement also intensified civic education and grassroots mobilisation programmes across schools and communities.

According to him, 17,783 students across 17 schools were educated on governance, civic rights and public service during the review period, while cumulative beneficiaries of the civic education initiative rose to 25,671 students across 25 schools statewide.

He explained that the programmes utilised storytelling, arts, book readings and interactive sessions to educate students on governance, civic duties, the Child Rights Law and anti-kidnapping laws.

Tajudeen added that 89,122 residents were engaged through governance sensitisation and civic empowerment campaigns across underserved communities in Lagos.

On voter education, he disclosed that the office engaged 78,750 participants through advocacy tours and civic outreach programmes organised in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC.

He stated that the programmes were designed to promote informed political participation, accountability and inclusive governance ahead of future elections.

Speaking on future plans, Tajudeen said the office aims to increase CitizensGate users to one million, expand civic education programmes, deepen stakeholder partnerships and intensify continuous voter registration campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Sanwo-Olu administration remain committed to participatory governance, inclusive development and ensuring that every resident of Lagos feels connected to government policies and interventions,” he stated.