The Federal Government of Nigeria announced the disbursement of N330 billion to 8.1 million households under the National Social Safety Net Programme. The initiative aims to support the country’s most vulnerable citizens amid economic challenges stemming from reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and currency flotation. The announcement was made by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, during a press briefing in Abuja following a review meeting of the Special Presidential Panel on Social Investment.
Program Progress and Transparency Measures
The cash transfer program, partly funded by an $800 million World Bank loan, targets 19.7 million households—representing approximately 70 million Nigerians—listed in the National Social Register (NSR). Of these, 8.1 million households have received at least one N25,000 payment, with some having received two or three tranches based on verification status. An additional 2.2 million households were included in the latest payment cycle after successful validation of their National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).
Edun emphasized that the integration of biometric NIN data has been pivotal in ensuring transparency, minimizing leakages, and preventing political interference. “The program is now back on track, with a robust digital payment system that delivers funds directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts or mobile wallets,” he said. The government aims to complete payments to the remaining eligible households by the end of 2025.
Building a Sustainable Social Protection System
The minister highlighted the program’s role in establishing a modern, transparent social safety net, which he described as essential for any contemporary economy. The initiative, initially targeting 15 million households, has been expanded to cover 19.7 million, reflecting the government’s commitment to shielding low-income Nigerians from economic pressures. Edun noted that annual budget provisions will ensure the program’s long-term sustainability, enabling timely interventions for vulnerable groups.
Funmi Olotu, National Coordinator of the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office, provided further insights into the program’s operations. She revealed that 10.2 million NINs were collected during household visits, with 9.6 million validated by the National Identity Management Commission. Only validated beneficiaries receive payments, ensuring the integrity of the process. Olotu stressed that the NSR is a non-political database, immune to external influence, and has been designated by President Bola Tinubu’s executive order as the sole database for all government social interventions.
Beneficiary Demographics and Regional Distribution
Data from the Presidential Panel on National Social Investment Programmes indicates significant growth in the program’s reach, with beneficiaries increasing from 1.78 million households in November 2023 to 8.11 million by August 2025. Approximately 61% of beneficiary households are female-headed, while 39% are male-led. By age, 36% of beneficiaries are aged 51–65, and 30% are between 21–35 years. Regionally, the North-West accounts for 72% of disbursements with three million households, while the South represents 28%.
Economic Context and International Perspectives
The cash transfer program addresses concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a June 2025 report, which highlighted the need for a robust safety net to protect Nigerians from the adverse effects of economic reforms. The IMF noted that channeling savings from subsidy removal into social protection is critical for inclusive growth, given persistent poverty and food insecurity challenges.
With NIN integration, expanded coverage, and a standardized NSR database, Nigeria is laying the foundation for a permanent social protection framework. Edun described the program as a transformative step in economic management, fulfilling President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting the nation’s most vulnerable. “This is a credible, transparent, and sustainable system that aligns with broader economic reforms,” he stated.
As disbursements continue, the government remains focused on ensuring that the program serves as a vital buffer for millions of households navigating the impacts of ongoing economic changes.
