5.5 Million Nigerian Households Benefiting From Cash Transfers – FG

At least 5.5 million Nigerian households currently benefit from cash transfers, the Federal Government has disclosed.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, disclosed this at the inaugural National Steering Committee meeting of the Act Naija project in Abuja on Tuesday.

Represented by one of his aides, Abimbola Fasanu, the minister said the ministry, being the lead government institution overseeing social protection in Nigeria, has continued to strengthen systems that realistically address poverty, vulnerability and humanitarian crisis in the country.

“Key programmes include Conditional Cash Transfer, the Grant for Vulnerable Groups, N-POWER, GEEP, Homegrown School Feeding and National Social Safety-Net Coordination,” he said, adding that, “Through these programmes, over 19.78 million households have been verified in the National Social Register.”

He further said, “5.5 million households currently benefit from cash transfers and micro-credit schemes are supporting livelihoods for over 5 million Nigerians with strong participation of women and youth across all 774 local government areas.”

Dr Doro said the ministry is working with other major stakeholders, reviewing and updating the National Social Protection Policy, NSPP, to reflect evolving socio-economic realities across all six geopolitical zones and to align with the government’s strategic priorities.

While inaugurating the Act Naija Project’s National Steering Committee, the minister said the project aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to empower vulnerable households, ensure transparency and deliver measurable impact through effective social protection.

He said the committee is critical in providing strategic guidance in harmonising efforts across stakeholders, urging all members to serve with dedication, professionalism and integrity.

Speaking earlier, Rev. David Ugolor, the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), said the inauguration of the committee marked a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen Nigeria’s social protection system and ensure that no citizen is left behind(Daily trust)