In a bid to improve the effectiveness of Nigeria’s National Social Investment Programme, the federal government has announced a major restructuring of the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, revealed this through a statement issued by her spokesperson, Rasheed Zubair, on Tuesday.
The decision to restructure NASSCO is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to adapt the Social Safety Net Programme to meet the expanded mandate of the ministry, which now includes poverty alleviation.
In the revamped organizational structure, the minister will assume the role of Chairperson of NASSCO, while Abel Enitan, the Permanent Secretary of Humanitarian Affairs, will serve as the Secretary.
This restructuring also includes the appointment of key individuals to crucial positions within NASSCO.
The appointments include Abdulaziz Danladi as the National Coordinator, Michael Ajuluchukwu as Head of the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), Janet Ekpenyong as Deputy Head of the NCTO, Richard Romanus as National Programme Manager of Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations, and Jamalu Kaburu as the National Communication Manager for the National Social Investment Programme.
Other appointments include Chidinma Makuachukwu as National Programme Manager for the Renewed Hope Shelter Programme for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Thalis Apalowo as National Programme Manager for the Grant For Vulnerable Groups, Salia Sanusi Yusuff as Programme Manager for the At-Risk Children Programme, Joseph Nkang will oversee the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, Akindele Egbuwalo as Programme Manager for the N-Power Programme and Renewed Hope Skills Acquisition Programme, Etcheri Ansa in charge of the National Alternate School Programme for out-of-school children, and Olubunmi Bello as National Project Manager for the Community and Social Development Programme.
The ministry urged the newly appointed team members to leverage their experience to advance President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. She emphasized that their appointments are effective immediately, with no room for excuses or failure in achieving the program’s objectives.
