- FG disburses ₦330bn to 8.1m households under cash transfer scheme.
- Programme expanded to 19.7m households with biometric verification.
- NIN-linked system ensures transparency, IMF urges stronger safety nets.
The Federal Government has announced the disbursement of ₦330bn to 8.1 million households across the country under the National Social Safety Net Programme, designed to cushion the impact of subsidy removal and currency reforms on the poorest Nigerians.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja after a review meeting of the Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment. He explained that earlier delays in payments were due to the integration of biometric data through the National Identification Number (NIN), which was necessary to ensure transparency, eliminate leakages, and curb political interference.
According to Edun, out of the 19.7 million households captured in the National Social Register, 8.1 million have received at least one tranche of the ₦25,000 stipend, with some receiving up to three. An additional 2.2 million households were recently paid after successful NIN and Bank Verification Number validation.
He noted that the programme, partially supported by an $800m World Bank loan, has been expanded from 15 million to 19.7 million households. “Nigeria now has the capacity to budget annually for direct support to its vulnerable groups, ensuring timely intervention when needed,” Edun said.
The National Coordinator of the programme, Funmi Olotu, revealed that 9.6 million NINs had been validated by the National Identity Management Commission. She stressed that only verified beneficiaries were eligible, adding that President Tinubu had signed an executive order making the National Social Register the sole database for government interventions.
Data from the panel showed that cumulative beneficiaries rose from 1.78 million in late 2023 to 8.1 million by August 2025. The North-West accounted for the largest share, while 61 per cent of households were female-headed.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had earlier urged Nigeria to strengthen its safety nets to reduce poverty and food insecurity.
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