Kaduna Partners with UNICEF to Develop Comprehensive MEAL Framework for Social Protection

From Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government, with support from UNICEF, today embarked on developing a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to strengthen the implementation of its Social Protection Policy.

This initiative, coordinated by the Kaduna Social Investment Programmes Agency (KADSIPA), marks a significant step toward ensuring that social protection interventions are transparent, impactful, and responsive to the needs of vulnerable populations.

Speaking at the workshop, held in Zaria, the Executive Secretary of KADSIPA, Umar Sani Maikudi, emphasized that a comprehensive MEAL framework will help the state track progress, identify gaps, and make evidence-based decisions to improve social protection coverage.

Represented by the Head of Partnership and Development Coordination Unit (PDCU), Rebecca Maulome Padonu, the Executive Secretary stressed that the expanded MEAL framework will provide the tools to know what works, what doesn’t, and how stakeholders can adjust programs to ensure that no vulnerable household is left behind.

He noted that with the framework, Kaduna State will be better positioned to measure how social protection programs are reducing poverty, improving food security, and enhancing access to health and education for vulnerable groups.

“Our goal is to ensure that every naira spent on social protection delivers real value to the people who need it most,” he added.

Similarly, UNICEF’s Social Policy Officer at the Kaduna Field Office, Wakidara Mavis Akila, highlighted that the framework will institutionalize a culture of data use and learning within government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

According to her, a comprehensive MEAL framework will strengthen coordination and reduce duplication of efforts across social protection programs.

“A robust MEAL framework is not just about tracking numbers; it’s about using data to improve lives and build trust between citizens and government, and anything less than this amounts to a waste of funds and time,” she said.

She added that the expanded framework will also help track equity, ensuring that interventions reach the most marginalized, including children in remote communities, women-headed households, and persons living with disabilities.

“Equity is at the heart of this framework. We want to make sure that no child, woman, or vulnerable person is excluded from social protection benefits,” she emphasized.

The new MEAL framework builds on the foundations of the old Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system, which primarily focuses on tracking outputs and outcomes, with little emphasis on accountability and real-time learning.

While the old system provided useful data, it lacked the depth and integration needed to fully measure impact and ensure that beneficiary feedback informed policy adjustments.

By expanding the scope to include accountability, the new framework introduces mechanisms for community participation, grievance redress, and transparency in service delivery.

This ensures that citizens, especially vulnerable households, can hold service providers and government agencies accountable for the quality and timeliness of interventions.

The development of the framework is being guided by UNICEF’s global expertise in child-sensitive social protection, ensuring that indicators and processes reflect the unique needs of children, women, and persons with disabilities. It also aligns with national priorities and global best practices on social protection.

One of the key innovations of the new MEAL framework is its emphasis on real-time data collection and digital reporting tools. This will enable policymakers to respond quickly to emerging challenges and adjust programs accordingly.

Community-based organizations and civil society actors will play a central role in monitoring and providing feedback, ensuring that beneficiaries’ voices are heard and acted upon. This participatory approach will enhance trust between citizens and the government.

The framework also includes clear accountability mechanisms, such as grievance redress systems, which will allow beneficiaries to report issues and receive timely responses. This will reduce leakages and improve transparency in social protection delivery.

For the masses, the benefits of the MEAL framework are significant. It will ensure that social protection programs, such as cash transfers, health insurance, and livelihood support, reach their intended beneficiaries efficiently, reducing poverty and improving living standards.

By providing reliable data on program performance, the framework will help the government allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that every naira spent on social protection delivers maximum impact for vulnerable households.

Additionally, the framework will strengthen Kaduna State’s ability to report on its social protection achievements to development partners, fostering greater confidence and attracting additional support for scaling up interventions.

The old MEL system, while useful, was limited in scope and lacked the integration of accountability and learning needed for modern social protection systems. The new MEAL framework addresses these gaps, making it a transformative tool for governance.

Stakeholders at the workshop, including representatives from ministries, development partners, and civil society, expressed commitment to fully adopting and implementing the framework, recognizing its potential to revolutionize social protection in Kaduna State.

With UNICEF’s support, Kaduna State is poised to set a benchmark for evidence-based, accountable, and inclusive social protection in Nigeria. The comprehensive MEAL framework will not only track progress but also ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s journey toward reducing poverty and inequality.