EFFECTS OF SOCIAL PROTECTION STRATEGIES ON HUMAN CAPITAL OUTCOMES IN SOKOTO STATE NIGERIA

Social protection has emerged as a critical component of development strategies, especially within the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Social protection is particularly vital in Nigeria due to widespread poverty, high unemployment rates, and socio- economic inequalities. The implementation of social protection programmes, such as conditional cash transfers, school feeding programs, and health insurance schemes, has been integral to the country’s SDG agenda. This makes Social Protection Strategies veritable tools to address such challenges. The study assessed the social protection strategies on human capital outcomes (Health and Education) on beneficiaries in Sokoto State Nigeria. The study adopted the Change theory in viewing the strategies on the beneficiaries. The study employed the mixed method research technique, involving both quantitative and qualitative research method techniques. The driving tool is the quantitative (questionnaire) corroborated by the qualitative (interview and FGD). 386 sample beneficiaries across the various intervention sites in the state using structured format of questionnaire and interviews as well as systematic observations. The findings of the study among others reveal that; the program has made vulnerable people in Sokoto State feel better by giving them cash transfers, healthcare subsidies, and education incentives. The study therefore recommends among others that; there is an urgent need to strengthen health infrastructure by building more PHCs across the sites, train more health care workers, and make it easier for people to get services through the availability of programmes.