FG to expand cash transfer beyond 15 million households — Edun
The Federal Government has announced plans to widen its direct cash transfer programme to reach more poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch in Abuja.
According to Edun, the initiative currently supports over 15 million households nationwide. He noted that while the government has made progress in stabilising inflation and exchange rates, more effort is needed to reduce poverty and ensure that citizens feel the benefits of ongoing economic reforms.
“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,” Edun said.
He emphasised that the programme is being executed with a strong focus on transparency and accountability through a digital verification system.
“In some places, people say they haven’t heard of anyone receiving the payments. We immediately call for data verification because each individual is identified by name, national identity number, and paid digitally—either into a bank account or mobile wallet. There is accountability, transparency, and a record,” he added.
Edun also revealed that the Federal Government plans to extend the programme to cover even more beneficiaries at the grassroots level, as part of broader efforts to cushion the impact of ongoing economic reforms.
In addition, he announced a new ward-based development initiative designed 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 reach the local level,” he explained.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Arunma Oteh, Founder of the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership, called for more investment in infrastructure and human capital to drive sustainable growth.
She urged the government to adopt a long-term financing approach, describing it as “patient capital,” to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.
“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 called on policymakers to prepare young Nigerians for leadership, stressing that consistent investment in people and infrastructure is vital for national transformation.
