The Federal Government has unveiled plans to distribute N75,000 each to some 70 million of Nigeria’s poorest citizens through the cash transfer programme in 2025.
Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on Arise Television, disclosed that the programme aims to register 18.1 million households by January 2025, utilizing the National Identity Number, NIN, system with implementation across all 36 states.
Each household, which typically consists of 4 to 5 individuals, will receive “cash transfers” as part of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to fight extreme poverty and promote social inclusion.
“The president’s target is 15 million households, translating to about 70 million individuals receiving N75,000 each,” Yilwatda clarified.
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Additionally, the programme aims to improve digital identity access for low-income Nigerians by partnering with the National Identity Management Commission to increase NIN registrations.
At present, only 1.4 million individuals in the most impoverished category have NINs.
Efforts are being made in states such as Rivers, Kwara, Abuja, and Nasarawa to train staff and deploy resources to expedite registration.
Prof. Yilwatda emphasized the role of technology in ensuring transparency and efficiency, noting that digital systems will minimize errors, enhance tracking and guarantee that funds reach the most vulnerable groups.
On January 12, 2024, President Bola Tinubu suspended all programmes under the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs over allegations of mismanagement, including issues related to direct cash transfers.
Previously, on January 8, 2024, Betta Edu the then-Minister of Humanitarian Affairs was suspended due to alleged fund misappropriation within NSIPA.
This new programme marks a renewed effort to restore public confidence and establish a more accountable social safety net.
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