FG has disbursed N330bn to 8.5m poor households – Wale Edun

The federal government says it has disbursed up to N330 billion in direct cash transfers to poor and vulnerable households across the country as part of its revamped social protection programme.

Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, spoke on Wednesday in Abuja.

Edun said the government resumed full implementation of the national social safety net programme, despite earlier delays due to a required integration of biometric data through the national identity number (NIN).

“We are pleased to report that the social protection programme, the putting in place of a safety net to help people cope with the rising price level, is now firmly back on track,” Edun said.

“So far 8.5 million households, out of a targeted 15 million, have received at least one tranche of the N25,000 monthly payment, while some have received up to three tranches.

“Each household is expected to receive three payments in total. The remaining 7 million households will be paid before the end of the year.”

He further said the initiative now stands as a foundational pillar for a long-term, modern social protection system.

“Nigeria now has the basis for a modern social protection system. That was the promise of Mr President. That is what he is now putting in place,” the minister said.

‘NO MORE TRADITIONAL CASH PAYMENTS’

On her part, Funmi Olotu, head of the national social safety net coordinating office (NASSCO), said the shift to digital disbursements tied to NIN verification had slowed the payment pace but was critical for ensuring transparency and eliminating political interference.

“Mr President said no more traditional way of giving them payments—pay directly into the account,” Olotu said.

“So the reason why some have received three and some have received two and one is because Mr. President said we should link the NIN to the National Social Register so that we do direct debit transfer.”

According to Olotu, more than 10.2 million NINs have been collected, and about 9.6 million have already been verified by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

She added that the disbursement system is designed to be biometric-based and digital, with funds transferred either to recipients’ bank accounts or mobile wallets.

“The National Social Register (NSR), which is being used as the basis for targeting beneficiaries, contains data on over 70 million individuals in about 19.7 million households. It was developed in partnership with the World Bank using over 40 socioeconomic indicators to ensure that the most vulnerable are correctly identified,” Olotu said.

“The program is part of a broader effort to stabilise the economy while addressing inequality, reflects a policy shift towards more structured and accountable welfare distribution.

“The National Social Register is not a political register.

“The Minister of Finance cannot give me names to put on the register. Mr President cannot give me names to put on the register.”

Olotu noted that beyond the World Bank-funded initiative, the NSR will be the central database for all government interventions going forward, as directed by an executive order from the president.

“Mr. President has already given an executive order that all interventions in the country should come from the National Social Register,” she said.

On October 17, 2023, President Bola Tinubu launched the renewed hope conditional cash transfer to 15 million households.(The Cable)