The Federal Government has announced plans to provide financial aid to 15 million vulnerable households under a conditional cash transfer programme designed to cushion the impact of economic hardship across Nigeria.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, disclosed this while speaking with journalists, explaining that the intervention is being implemented in partnership with the World Bank. He said the initiative is aimed at helping families cope with economic shocks and rising living costs.
According to the minister, not all households captured in the National Social Register will automatically receive cash support. The register currently contains about 17.9 million vulnerable households, representing an estimated 70 million Nigerians. However, the Benefit Register, which determines actual disbursement, focuses strictly on families considered the poorest and most affected by present economic conditions.
Dr. Doro stressed that the programme is not a blanket distribution scheme but a targeted response to hardship. He described the funding as a measure to address economic shocks rather than a universal entitlement for everyone listed in the database.
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The National Social Register, he explained, is compiled through community-driven identification and detailed socio-economic assessments. Local leaders and community members play a role in identifying households in need, while home visits and data verification exercises are carried out to ensure transparency and accuracy.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding and updating the National Social Register to reflect current realities. He added that ongoing reforms are intended to ensure that financial assistance reaches households facing the most severe economic strain.
The announcement comes amid broader efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen social protection programmes and reduce poverty levels nationwide.
