FG Clears 2.3 Million Households for Cash Transfer Amid Efforts to Reach 15 Million Target

In a significant move to alleviate poverty, the Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed that 2.3 million households have been verified and cleared to receive payments under the revamped Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program. This development is part of the government’s broader objective to extend financial assistance to 15 million vulnerable households nationwide.

The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Abisoye Coker-Odusote, announced this milestone during a press briefing in Abuja. She emphasized that the revalidation exercise, conducted under the National Social Safety Net, aims to ensure that only eligible individuals benefit from the intervention.

Coker-Odusote highlighted the importance of accurate identity verification in delivering targeted interventions, stating, “We don’t want to pay people who are no longer alive. It’s critical that the right thing is done, and identity verification is central to this.”

The CCT program, launched in 2023 following the removal of the petrol subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market, has faced challenges in reaching its target. According to a World Bank report titled “Nigeria Development Update,” only 37% of the targeted households approximately 5.6 million had received payments as of April 30, 2025.

The World Bank, which approved an $800 million loan for the project, revealed that $530 million had been disbursed by the end of April 2025. The expansion of the program hinges on the biometrically verified identity of at least one adult per household, a critical step for ensuring that the right recipients benefit from the funds.

Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua, addressed concerns about the program’s slow implementation. He attributed delays to the need for biometric validation, describing it as essential to ensure transparency and minimize the risk of fraud. Fasua urged Nigerians to remain patient, emphasizing that the integrity of the process is paramount when dealing with public funds meant for vulnerable citizens.

As the government continues its efforts to expand the CCT program, the successful verification of 2.3 million households marks a significant step toward achieving its goal of supporting 15 million vulnerable households across the country.