FG Disburses Cash Transfers to 9 Million Poorest Households Under World Bank-Backed Social Protection Reforms!
Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi (Journalist)| Sele Media Africa.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that nine million of the country’s poorest households have received direct cash transfers under its ongoing social protection reforms, a programme supported by the World Bank.
Officials say the cash disbursements form part of broader economic reform measures aimed at cushioning the impact of fiscal restructuring policies, including subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments, which have contributed to rising living costs across Africa’s most populous nation.
Expanding Nigeria’s Social Safety Net
According to the Federal Government, the transfers are being implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project and related intervention frameworks designed to protect vulnerable Nigerians from economic shocks. The programme targets low-income households identified through the National Social Register, with payments made directly to beneficiaries to improve transparency and reduce leakages.
The initiative gained renewed urgency following the removal of fuel subsidies in 2023 and subsequent inflationary pressures that significantly affected food prices, transport costs, and household purchasing power.
The World Bank has previously approved financing packages to support Nigeria’s social protection expansion, emphasizing the need for targeted assistance to mitigate the short-term impacts of macroeconomic reforms. The Bretton Woods institution has described cash transfer schemes as one of the most effective tools for reducing extreme poverty when properly implemented and monitored.
Balancing Reform With Relief
Government representatives maintain that the cash transfer programme is a critical pillar of Nigeria’s reform agenda. They argue that structural adjustments while necessary to stabilize public finances and attract investment must be accompanied by immediate social interventions to prevent deeper poverty and inequality.
Nigeria’s inflation rate has remained elevated in recent months, with food inflation disproportionately affecting low-income households. Analysts note that direct cash transfers can provide short-term relief, but stress the importance of complementary measures such as job creation, agricultural productivity support, and improved public service delivery.
International development partners have echoed similar positions, urging sustained reforms while strengthening accountability frameworks to ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries.
Transparency and Oversight
Civil society organizations have called for increased transparency in the disbursement process, including clearer reporting on payment verification, beneficiary selection criteria, and monitoring outcomes. Digital payment systems and biometric verification methods have been introduced to enhance credibility and minimize fraud risks.
Economic experts observe that while nine million households represent a substantial coverage milestone, Nigeria’s poverty headcount remains significant, underscoring the need for long-term economic transformation strategies alongside social protection mechanisms.
Broader Regional Context
Across Africa, several governments have adopted cash transfer programmes to address rising poverty levels amid economic volatility, debt pressures, and climate-related shocks. Multilateral institutions continue to support these efforts, positioning social safety nets as a bridge between reform-driven fiscal consolidation and inclusive growth.
For Nigeria, the scale of implementation will likely shape public confidence in ongoing reforms and determine whether vulnerable communities can withstand short-term economic strain.
Sources
Reuters
BBC News
The World Bank
Premium Times
Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
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