The Federal Government is currently in the process of reviewing and expanding the National Social Register to include pensioners and ex-servicemen as part of its Conditional Cash Transfer scheme. Furthermore, beneficiaries who have risen above the poverty threshold are being removed from the list. Deceased beneficiaries will also be eliminated, and individuals lacking National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) will be disqualified.
Payments will now be disbursed directly to beneficiaries through the Central Bank of Nigeria, as opposed to intermediaries. The first batch of bulk payments is scheduled to commence next week, benefiting five million households.
The Conditional Cash Transfer scheme is a crucial component of the Federal Government’s National Social Investment Programme, which aims to uplift millions of Nigerians living in extreme poverty, enhance their living conditions, and stimulate economic growth.
In observance of the 2023 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu initiated the disbursement of N25,000 to 15 million households for three months, designed as a social safety net intervention. This initiative intends to mitigate the effects of recent fuel subsidy removal and contribute to the fight against poverty throughout the nation.
When questioned about the details of this initiative, Rasheed Olanrewaju, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, affirmed that the cash transfer scheme had been extensively reviewed and expanded. He clarified that the government would be utilizing a verified, expanded register that encompasses pensioners, veterans, and other vulnerable individuals previously omitted.
Jamaldeen Kabir, the National Communications Manager for the National Social Investment Programme Agency, corroborated this statement and emphasized that those who had risen above the poverty line would be removed from the outdated register.
Bulk payments are scheduled to commence the following week, with some already verified recipients receiving payment alerts. The cash transfer scheme aims to disburse funds directly to households, and the rollout will begin this month, proceeding into the months of October, November, and December for the initial phase, covering five million households.
Concerning ghost recipients, Olanrewaju noted that the program had implemented numerous measures to ensure its credibility, such as cross-referencing National Identification Numbers and Bank Verification Numbers with in-person verification and biometrics. This system is designed to minimize middlemen, and a final tally of ineligible recipients will be determined in the coming weeks.
Furthermore, the Federal Government’s dedication to poverty eradication aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on food security, economic growth, and job creation. Additional investments are being made in transportation and agriculture to enhance food security, support small businesses, and address the needs of internally displaced persons.
Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has emphasized the importance of support from all stakeholders, including the private sector, development partners, and other nations, to help Nigeria’s effort to eradicate poverty. The Conditional Cash Transfer, in particular, is seen as a valuable tool to uplift vulnerable households by providing financial support for micro and small businesses, basic healthcare, education, and immediate household needs. The government is committed to a multi-pronged approach to alleviate poverty across various dimensions throughout the country.