Political Perspectives of Social Assistance Amidst Economic Shocks in Nigeria

BASIC Research Briefing 7 - Published on 31 October 2025

Economic shocks represent an important dimension of protracted crises characterised by conflict and climate-related extremes. This note examines views of different actors in Nigeria on whether and how social assistance should be used to help households negatively affected by these shocks. It identifies the political outlook of those who view social assistance as: 1) A fundamental right espoused in the social contract focused on marginalised groups; 2) A right but focused on technocratic aspects of delivery; 3) A tool to maintain financial discipline, applied to respond to crises when systems fail; and 4) A means of strengthening political influence. The power of groups with these perspectives offers insights about the underlying constraints of social assistance.

Cite this publication

Abdulrasaq, K.; Walker, J.-A.; Ukpai, S. and Diwakar, V. (2025) ‘Political Perspectives of Social Assistance Amidst Economic Shocks in Nigeria’, BASIC Research Research Briefing 7, Brighton: Institute of Development Studies, DOI: 10.19088/IDS.2025.043