which it is an objective, for example Women Affairs and Social Development and Employment, Labour and Productivity. Indeed, these ministries, as in many countries, are typically among the most marginalised and underfunded. Staffing is inadequate, capacity is limited and data collection and coordination are almost non-existent. While a wide variety of national and international NGO funders are involved with protection issues, coordination between sectors is also low. Some states including Anambra and Ekiti had operated a cash transfer scheme in which selected elderly persons benefited. 14. Institutions charged with protecting the safety and well-being of Nigeria's children are weak. Child protection is not prioritised, even in those ministries for which it is an objective, for example Women Affairs and Social D e v e l o p m e n t a n d Employment, Labour and Productivity. Indeed, these ministries, as in many countries, are typically among the most marginalised and underfunded. Staffing is inadequate, capacity is limited and data collection and coordination (Hagen-Zanker& Holmes, 2012). 15. Political commitment to social protection is very variable, at both federal and state level. Social protection is not a key priority for the Federal Government, as reflected by the limited funding available for it. Furthermore, as there is no ministry to champion social protection causes, there is no drive to develop social protection policy. States have been given the responsibility for COPE expansion through a mechanism called the Conditional Grant Scheme – a financing mechanism which requires states to match federal expenditure. However, only one-third of all states have 30