FG Reaches Over 34 Million Nigerians with Conditional Cash Transfers

The Federal Government has announced that its conditional cash transfer program has now provided support to over 34 million vulnerable Nigerians. The initiative is a central part of ongoing efforts to alleviate economic hardship and reduce poverty nationwide.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, disclosed this figure on Thursday in Calabar, Cross River State, during the inaugural session of the National Council on Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Minister Doro stated that the intervention underscores the government’s commitment to lifting citizens out of poverty through coordinated and data-driven programs. He further revealed an ambitious target to extend the benefits to 50 million Nigerians before the end of the year, emphasizing that social protection is a key pillar of the Tinubu administration’s strategy.

“The Federal Government has so far provided conditional cash transfers to over 34 million vulnerable Nigerians and is working to reach 50 million beneficiaries before the end of the year,” Doro said.

He explained that the newly established National Council aims to strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian interventions, moving away from fragmented efforts. The council’s 2026 theme, “Beyond the National: Strengthening Sub-national and Multi-Stakeholders’ Synergy for a Unified Approach to Humanitarian Response and Poverty Reduction,” highlights the need for collaboration across all levels of government and with non-state actors.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Tanko Sununu, noted that evolving global dynamics make collective action and innovation in humanitarian response imperative.

During the council meeting, stakeholders submitted 99 memoranda. Thirty-seven were approved, 19 were merged, 25 were stepped down, while others received no recommendations. A notable submission from the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) called for a national framework to monitor and evaluate poverty reduction interventions.

The Executive Director of dRPC, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, argued that such a framework is needed to harmonize indicators and improve coordination between federal and state governments, ensuring better tracking of outcomes for vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor Peter Odey, commended the Federal Government for hosting the maiden council in Calabar and pledged the state’s continued support for poverty reduction initiatives.