Juliet Ezeh
No fewer than 9.2 million Nigerians struggling with rising living costs have received direct financial support from the Federal Government, with a total of N688 billion disbursed under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HOPE-CT) Programme in just two years.
The intervention, designed as a lifeline for vulnerable households affected by ongoing economic reforms, provides N75,000 to each beneficiary in three phases—helping families cover basic needs like food, healthcare, and children’s education.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, said the scale of the programme reflects government efforts to cushion economic hardship at the grassroots.
According to him, over 9.17 million households have already received the first tranche of N25,000, while more than 7.2 million and 6.4 million beneficiaries have received the second and third payments respectively.
“For many Nigerians, N75,000 goes a long way. It means food on the table, access to healthcare, and the ability to keep children in school,” he said.
The programme, which ran from November 2023 to February 2026, relies on the National Social Register to identify eligible households, ensuring that only verified beneficiaries receive support.
A significant highlight of the intervention is its impact on women. Data from the ministry shows that women account for 58.7 per cent of beneficiaries over 5.3 million underscoring their central role in family survival and community stability.
Meanwhile, identity verification has played a critical role in strengthening transparency. The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, revealed that over 11.8 million records have been successfully verified, while failed entries are being corrected to improve system accuracy.
“Identity is not just a number it is access to opportunity and social protection,” she said, noting that the system helps eliminate fraud while ensuring the right people benefit.
The cash transfer initiative, funded through an $800 million facility from the World Bank’s International Development Association, is now being expanded, with the Federal Government increasing its target from 10.4 million to 15 million vulnerable Nigerians.
Officials say the programme is not just about short-term relief but about building resilience, improving financial inclusion, and restoring public trust in government support systems.
