Social Protection Programmes and Their Impact on Vulnerable Households in Kebbi State, North West Nigeria

Social protection programmes represent a critical government strategy for reducing poverty and protecting vulnerable households from the impacts of economic shocks. This study evaluates the impact of social protection programmes on vulnerable households in Kebbi State, with particular focus on Birnin Kebbi and Argungu local government areas. A descriptive survey design is adopted, and data are collected from 120 beneficiary and non-beneficiary households through structured questionnaires. Frequencies, percentages, and cross-tabulation are used in analysis. The study finds that conditional cash transfers and school feeding programmes under national social protection schemes have improved food security and school enrolment in beneficiary households. However, coverage is limited to a fraction of eligible households due to targeting errors, inadequate funding, and weak implementation capacity at the local government level. Social workers are rarely involved in programme design or delivery, despite their professional competencies in community needs assessment and beneficiary engagement. Recommendations include strengthening social work involvement in social protection delivery, improving targeting systems to reach the most vulnerable households, and investing in local government capacity to implement and monitor social protection interventions. Keywords: social protection, vulnerable households, Kebbi State, cash transfers, poverty reduction