The SUSI programme, implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), aims to bolster Abia’s social protection systems and provide targeted support to the state’s most vulnerable populations. 

As part of the initiative, the European Union donated critical IT equipment and accessories to the Abia State Government to enhance data collection and address longstanding issues of data integrity in social welfare programs.

During the event, Governor Otti inaugurated the Abia State Social Protection Council, underscoring his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance. 

He highlighted the role of key institutions, including the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, and the Abia State Senior Citizen Centre, in ensuring that “no one is left behind” in the state’s development agenda.

Expressing gratitude to the EU and its partners, Otti specifically commended the European Union Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, HE Ambassador Gautier Mignot, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Dr. Vanessa Lerato Phala-Moyo, and UNICEF Chief of Field Services, Judith Leveillee, for their unwavering support. 

“We are building a resilient and equitable Abia, and this partnership is a cornerstone of that vision,” Otti stated.

The launch of SUSI and the establishment of the Social Protection Council signal Abia’s proactive efforts to create sustainable frameworks for poverty alleviation and social equity, positioning the state as a model for innovative governance in Nigeria.