The development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) is a leading intermediary non-profit organization dedicated to advancing social protection and poverty reduction in Nigeria through evidence-based research, capacity building, and strategic partnerships. With over 30 years of experience, dRPC’s Social Protection programming focuses on designing and implementing transformative interventions that address chronic poverty, promote economic empowerment, and enhance social welfare for vulnerable populations, particularly women, youth, and marginalized communities. Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and engage government stakeholders to create inclusive, sustainable, and scalable solutions that reduce inequality and improve livelihoods.
Key Initiatives and Impact
dRPC’s Social Protection portfolio is anchored in rigorous research and participatory approaches to tackle multidimensional poverty. Through the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network (CPAN) and the Better Assistance in Crises (BASIC) project, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), dRPC conducts in-depth studies on chronic poverty, presenting actionable data at national and international platforms. Notable engagements include the 2023 CORN Conference on Social Protection and a roundtable discussion at the National Bureau of Statistics in Abuja, where dRPC shared insights from its CPAN-BASIC study to inform policy on social safety nets and poverty reduction strategies. These efforts have influenced national discourse on social protection frameworks, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies that address systemic barriers.
dRPC’s Social Protection portfolio is anchored in rigorous research and participatory approaches to tackle multidimensional poverty. Through the Chronic Poverty Advisory Network (CPAN) and the Better Assistance in Crises (BASIC) project, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), dRPC conducts in-depth studies on chronic poverty, presenting actionable data at national and international platforms. Notable engagements include the 2023 CORN Conference on Social Protection and a roundtable discussion at the National Bureau of Statistics in Abuja, where dRPC shared insights from its CPAN-BASIC study to inform policy on social safety nets and poverty reduction strategies. These efforts have influenced national discourse on social protection frameworks, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies that address systemic barriers.
In partnership with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), dRPC conducted and launched the Crisis Trajectory Study on Stakeholder Perspectives on Intersecting Crises and Resilience in Benue and Borno States. The study examines crisis dynamics over the past five years and projects forward another five years to provide evidence and insights for policy formulation. Findings show possible recurring and emerging crises in the two states. The findings were presented at a virtual stakeholder engagement in July 2025 and later at the Nigerian Economic Society Conference held in September 2025. In addition, a Nigeria Post-Shock Poverty Monitor as follow-up study under the BASIC Research and the Data and Evidence to End Extreme Poverty (DEEP) programmes were completed in October 2025. The study to assess whether there have been changes in the lives and livelihoods of participants interviewed in 2023, particularly across the three categories: chronic poor, improvers, and sustained escapers.
A flagship initiative under this program is the third-party monitoring of Nigeria’s National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), funded by ActionAid Nigeria in 2016. In collaboration with community-based organizations like the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), dRPC monitors key NSIP components, including the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Home Grown School Feeding Programme, and N-Power job creation initiative in Kano State. By capturing beneficiaries’ voices and providing feedback to the National Social Investment Office, dRPC enhanced program delivery, ensuring equitable resource distribution to vulnerable groups such as women and youth. This project underscored dRPC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in social welfare programs.
Additionally, dRPC has served as a third-party monitor for USAID-funded projects in Northeast Nigeria, evaluating the effectiveness of social protection interventions aimed at improving livelihoods and resilience in conflict-affected communities. Our work in this region highlights the intersection of social protection and humanitarian response, addressing immediate needs while fostering long-term economic stability.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement
dRPC’s Social Protection programming extends beyond support for implementation to advocacy and policy influence. In 2023, dRPC-CPAN hosted a Poverty Reduction Dissemination and Reference Group Meeting, fostering dialogue among stakeholders to refine social protection strategies. By leveraging data-driven advocacy, dRPC empowers CSOs to engage policymakers effectively, ensuring that poverty reduction policies are grounded in evidence and responsive to community needs. Our collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other government bodies has positioned dRPC as a trusted partner in shaping Nigeria’s social protection landscape.
Capacity Building and Training
As part of its initiatives, the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humaanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, organized a training workshop in Abuja on “Effective and Responsive Communication for Public Relations and Data Desk Officers.” The workshop brought together senior officials and focused on leveraging AI, improving transparency, and countering misinformation to strengthen humanitarian and poverty reduction interventions. As an outcome, participants enhanced their capacity to deliver accurate and impactful communication, improving the Ministry’s ability to inform and engage vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria navigates economic challenges, dRPC remains committed to scaling up its Social Protection programming. By integrating insights from research, monitoring, and community feedback, we aim to drive innovative solutions that empower states to prioritize social protection, poverty reduction, and economic empowerment in their budgets. Our vision is a Nigeria where social protection systems are inclusive, resilient, and transformative, lifting millions out of poverty and fostering sustainable development.
For more information on our Social Protection initiatives, explore our materials below.
Read More
- https://drpcngr.org/project/n-sip-third-party-monitors/
- https://drpcngr.org/third-party-monitors-of-usaid-funded-projects-in-the-northeast/
- https://drpcngr.org/drpc-presents-data-on-chronic-poverty-from-its-cpan-basic-study-at-the-corn-conference-on-social-protection/
- https://thenationonlineng.net/poverty-reduction-through-economic-empowerment-in-states-2025-budgets/#google_vignette
- https://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/762257-2025-state-budgets-and-poverty-reduction-through-economic-empowerment-by-judith-ann-walker.html
- https://drpcngr.org/drpc-cpan-hosts-poverty-reduction-dissemination-and-reference-group-meeting/
- https://drpcngr.org/drpc-presents-data-on-chronic-poverty-at-the-roundtable-discussion-on-statistics-and-monitoring-and-evaluation-at-the-national-bureau-of-statistics-in-abuja-on-november-29-2023/