The Federal Government (FG) has officially announced the disbursement of ₦330 billion in cash transfers targeted at poor and vulnerable Nigerians, in what has been described as one of the largest social protection interventions in recent times. The disclosure was made by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, during a press briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the minister, the programme is being coordinated through the National Social Safety-net Coordinating Office (NASSCO), and is aimed at mitigating the harsh effects of the government’s ongoing economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the naira exchange rate. Edun stated that the initiative forms a critical part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s poverty alleviation plan, which prioritises protecting millions of households from sliding deeper into economic hardship.
Targeting Millions of Vulnerable Households Nationwide
Edun revealed that a total of 19.7 million poor and vulnerable households, representing more than 70 million Nigerians, have been captured on the National Social Register. Out of these, about 15 million households have been earmarked to benefit from the current cash transfer programme. Each household is expected to receive ₦25,000 per tranche, funded through the $800 million World Bank-supported facility.
“The programme was designed to provide financial relief to 15 million households, covering about 75 million Nigerians in total. So far, 8.5 million households have received at least one tranche of ₦25,000, with some already receiving two or even three payments. The remaining households are in line to receive theirs before the end of the year,” the minister explained.
He also stressed that the government has adopted a digital-first approach, ensuring that every transaction is traceable and verifiable. Beneficiaries were identified biometrically using their National Identification Numbers (NIN) and payments made directly into their bank accounts or mobile wallets, eliminating the possibility of cash diversion or manipulation. This, Edun noted, provides the foundation for building a modern and sustainable social protection system in Nigeria.
Part of Tinubu’s Broader Economic Rescue Strategy
Edun described the ₦330 billion cash transfer as a cornerstone of the administration’s economic strategy, noting that while reforms such as subsidy removal were painful but necessary, the government is determined to balance them with measures that cushion the immediate effects on low-income citizens. He added that future annual budgets will continue to make provisions for direct cash transfer programmes, thereby institutionalising them as part of Nigeria’s long-term poverty reduction plan.
[/p]“This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind in the reform process. By investing directly in our people, we are not only cushioning hardship but also laying the foundation for inclusive growth,” Edun said.
Why Some Beneficiaries Have Received Staggered Payments
Providing further clarity, the National Coordinator of NASSCO, Funmi Olotu, explained why not all beneficiaries have received the same number of payments. She noted that while the programme aims to be comprehensive, the insistence of President Tinubu that all transfers be linked to verifiable NIN records and processed digitally has introduced a staggered disbursement pattern.
[/p]“We do direct-debit transfers only, as directed by Mr. President. He was clear that there should be no manual cash distribution, no envelopes, no middlemen. Every beneficiary must be paid directly to their account or mobile wallet. This has ensured transparency and accountability, but it has also meant that some people have received one, two, or three tranches, while others are still being verified and processed,” Olotu said.
She emphasised that the process is ongoing and reassured Nigerians that all registered households will receive their full entitlements before the programme concludes. According to her, this approach not only guarantees fairness but also strengthens Nigeria’s digital financial inclusion drive, bringing more poor households into the formal banking system.
The cash transfer scheme has been welcomed by some Nigerians as a lifeline in difficult times, although others continue to express concerns over whether the funds will reach all intended beneficiaries. The government, however, maintains that the biometric and digital framework significantly reduces risks of diversion, fraud, or politicisation of the funds.
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