NIGERIA: FG to Expand Cash Transfer Programme Beyond 15 Million Households — Edun

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The Federal Government has announced plans to expand its direct cash transfer initiative to reach more poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch in Abuja on Tuesday.

Edun said the programme currently benefits over 15 million households nationwide, but the government intends to scale it up as part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic reforms.

He said: “There is an attempt to ensure that the pains of reform are immediately alleviated. That’s why there is a transparent, accountable, and robust system of providing direct payments to 15 million households.”

He explained that the initiative operates with a digital verification mechanism to ensure transparency and accountability.

Edun stated: “In some places, people say they haven’t heard of anyone receiving the payments. We immediately call for the data to verify this because each individual is identified by name, national identity number, and paid digitally—either to a bank account or mobile wallet. There is accountability, transparency, and a record.”

The minister noted that while the government has made progress in stabilising inflation and the exchange rate, more needs to be done to ensure that citizens feel the positive effects of these reforms.

He also revealed that the Federal Government will soon roll out a ward-based development initiative to channel resources directly to Nigeria’s 8,809 wards across 774 local government areas.

“This will empower economically active people at the ward level—small businesses and cottage industries—by providing support and financing. It’s a key element in ensuring that the benefits of current reforms and improvements reach right down to the local level,” he said.

At the same event, Dr. Arunma Oteh, Founder of the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership, called for greater investment in infrastructure and human capital to drive long-term growth.

“China, over the years, invested 24 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure. At best, we do 4 to 5 per cent. If we want to bridge the infrastructure gap, we must raise this to at least 12 per cent,” Oteh said.

She further urged policymakers to equip young Nigerians for leadership, adding that consistent investment in people and infrastructure is key to sustainable development.