NEWS
FG Disburses ₦688 Billion to 9.2 Million Nigerians in Two Years Under HOPE-CT Cash Transfer Programme, Expands Beneficiaries to 15 Million
No fewer than 9.2 million Nigerians have benefited from the Federal Government’s Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer Programme, with approximately ₦688 billion disbursed within two years, marking one of the country’s most expansive social protection interventions in recent times.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, disclosed this on Monday during the HOPE-CT implementation update and press conference held in Abuja.
The cash transfer scheme, anchored on the National Social Register, remains a central pillar of the Federal Government’s strategy to cushion the harsh effects of ongoing economic reforms on vulnerable households across the country.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with key national institutions including the National Identity Management Commission, the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office, the National Cash Transfer Office, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency.
Providing further insight into the initiative, Doro explained that the HOPE-CT programme was conceived as a shock-response mechanism targeted at low-income Nigerians grappling with the impact of macroeconomic adjustments. He noted that beneficiaries receive financial support in structured phases.
He said, “Under this intervention, eligible households receive ₦75,000 distributed over three tranches, helping families meet essential needs such as food, healthcare, and ededucationif you ask me, ₦75,000 is indeed a lot of money to Nigerians, and there are many things they could do with it.
“As of today, 9,178,837 beneficiary households across Nigeria have received at least the first tranche of ₦25,000, demonstrating the scale and reach of this programme.
“The second and third tranches are progressing steadily. 7,203,579 beneficiaries have received the second tranche, and 6,497,089 have received the third, with disbursement continuing to roll out across all states. The remaining beneficiaries within these tranches are actively being processed, and every eligible household will receive their full entitlement.”
On the programme timeline, the minister clarified that ‘the intervention spanned from November 2023 to February 2026,’ underscoring the sustained rollout and phased implementation approach adopted by the government.
He further stressed that all beneficiaries are required to be enrolled in the National Social Register and must be verified using either a National Identification Number or Bank Verification Number, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and eliminating duplication.
Breaking down the demographic distribution of beneficiaries, Doro revealed that women constitute the majority of recipients.
“Out of the 9.17 million beneficiaries reached so far, 5,391,225 are women representing 58.7 per cent of all beneficiaries, while 3,787,612 are men, representing 41.3 per cent.
“By empowering women through the HoPE Cash Transfer Programme, we are supporting mothers, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who form the backbone of family resilience across Nigeria,” he stated.
In her remarks, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, highlighted the critical role of identity verification in enhancing the credibility of the programme.
Coker-Odusote emphasised that identity in Nigeria extends beyond mere data capture, describing it as a gateway to inclusion and opportunity.
She said, ‘It is an access to opportunity, social protection, and full benefits of citizenship. This belief has guided our partnership with the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office to ensure that the HoPE-CT programme is not only impactful, but also transparent, targeted, and efficient.
“Today, I am pleased to report significant progress. As of the end of February, a total of 13,240,100 individual records have been securely shared with NIMC for verification. Out of this figure, 11,831,861 records have been successfully verified while 1,408,284 records did not pass verification.
“Now, let me emphasise — this is not a setback. It is a strength of the system. Every failed record has been thoroughly analysed, and we have provided NASSCO with a clear diagnosis of the issues, alongside practical solution pathways. As we speak, an additional 3.1 million records are currently undergoing processing.”
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Protocols, Dr Suleiman Haruna, noted that the intervention has provided much-needed relief to millions of Nigerians facing economic hardship.
According to him, the programme serves as a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to inclusivity and grassroots engagement.
He stated that the HoPE-CT programme is about showing every Nigerian, especially those at the grassroots, that “their government sees, hears and is actively working to improve their lives.”
“Over the years, many Nigerians have fallen into economic vulnerability. But in the last three years, many have been saved through various programmes of the government.
“We will continue to support all government programmes in their effort to reach their intended audiences,” he stated.
On the broader impact and structure of the initiative, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, explained that the programme was deliberately designed to stabilise vulnerable households while building long-term resilience.
He added that the integration of the National Social Register with digital payment systems has significantly improved targeting accuracy, enhanced transparency, and expanded financial inclusion, ensuring efficient and accountable delivery of assistance.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Alhassan, disclosed that the initiative is being financed through an $800 million facility provided by the International Development Association.
Alhassan further revealed that the scope of the programme has been expanded, noting that the number of beneficiaries has currently been ‘reviewed upward from 10.4m to 15m vulnerable Nigerians,’ signaling the Federal Government’s intent
ion to deepen social protection coverage nationwide.