By Glory Akpan
The Federal Government says no fewer than 9.2 million households across the six geopolitical zones have benefited from its Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HOPE-CT) Programme.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Boro, disclosed this during an implementation briefing and press conference in Abuja.
He said the government was moving beyond temporary interventions to build a transparent, reliable, and sustainable national social protection system.
According to him, 9,178,837 households have received the initial N75,000 cash payment, while subsequent tranches are being disbursed.
He added that 7.2 million households had received the second tranche, while over 6.4 million had received the third tranche, with payments ongoing across all states.
“These figures are accurate and verifiable, reflecting the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability under President Bola Tinubu.
“They represent more than just numbers; they reflect millions of households whose dignity and resilience are being strengthened through deliberate government action,” he said.
The minister described the HOPE-CT programme, a component of the National Social Safety Nets Project–Scale Up (NASSP-SU), as central to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the programme was designed to provide structured and sustainable social protection while addressing immediate household needs such as food, healthcare, and education.
Boro added that the initiative also supports small-scale economic activities aimed at improving livelihoods.
He noted that 5.3 million women, representing 58.7 per cent of beneficiaries, had benefited from the programme, describing it as a deliberate effort to empower women and enhance household welfare.
According to him, the programme is also designed to help beneficiaries transition from poverty to self-sufficiency under the One Humanitarian, One Poverty Response System framework.
Also speaking, the National Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office, Mr Abdullahi Imam, said the World Bank-supported programme, initially targeted at 10.4 million households with an 800 million-dollar facility, had been expanded to cover 15 million households.
He said the initiative was designed to help vulnerable families cope with economic challenges and build long-term resilience.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said over 13.2 million records had been submitted for verification, out of which 11.8 million had been validated.
She said the verification process ensures transparency and prevents duplication of payments.
Similarly, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, described the programme as one of the most impactful social interventions in recent times.
Idris, represented by Dr Suleiman Haruna, Director of Public Relations and Protocol, said the initiative had provided relief and renewed hope for millions of Nigerians.
Development partners, including the World Bank, also commended the programme, noting that the use of digital payment systems and integrated data frameworks had enhanced efficiency and accountability. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
