The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the disbursement of ₦300 billion to more than eight million households across the country under its expanded National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).
The announcement was made on Sunday by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, who said the funds were released to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship and promote financial inclusion among vulnerable Nigerians.
According to the minister, the initiative — implemented through the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) and Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) — targeted low-income families, petty traders, and rural entrepreneurs.
“The disbursement is part of the renewed drive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to lift millions of Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty. Over eight million households have already received various categories of support, including cash transfers, grants, and small-scale enterprise funding,” Dr. Edu stated.
She noted that the payments were made directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts and verified digital wallets to ensure transparency and accountability.
Dr. Edu also disclosed that the Ministry is working with state governments and community-based organizations to expand coverage, with special focus on women, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“This is not a one-off effort. The government remains committed to empowering households sustainably by linking beneficiaries to skills training, agricultural value chains, and access to microcredit,” she added.
The minister emphasized that the ₦300 billion disbursement forms part of the broader National Social Safety Nets Programme, aimed at reducing poverty and mitigating the impact of subsidy removal.
Analysts, however, have called for more transparency in the distribution process, urging the government to publish a breakdown of beneficiaries and ensure the funds reach genuine households in need.
The Federal Government assured that an independent audit and monitoring system is already in place to track implementation and measure impact across the federation.