FG Pays ₦330bn to 8.1 Million Households in Cash Transfer Programme

The Federal Government has announced the disbursement of ₦330 billion to 8.1 million poor and vulnerable households across the country under its National Social Safety Net Programme (NSSNP).

The intervention, unveiled in Abuja, is part of efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship, particularly rising food prices and the inflationary pressures that followed the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to government officials, the payments are designed to provide immediate relief and strengthen the resilience of low-income families.

A statement from the programme coordinators explained that the households were identified through a national register of the poor and vulnerable, compiled in partnership with states and local governments.

The cash transfers, officials said, represent a direct lifeline to families most in need.

“This programme is not just about giving money, but about ensuring that those who are most affected by current economic realities are not left behind,” an official noted, stressing that the intervention is central to the administration’s social protection agenda.

Reactions to the announcement have been mixed. While many Nigerians have welcomed the cash transfers as a necessary measure to ease hardship, others have raised concerns about transparency and accountability.

Civil society groups have called for the publication of the beneficiary list to ensure that funds reach the intended recipients and to prevent diversion.

Critics also question whether the support is sufficient, given the steep rise in the cost of food, transport, and healthcare. Some argue that cash transfers, though important, must be paired with long-term solutions such as job creation, affordable housing, and targeted subsidies to truly lift families out of poverty.

The ₦330 billion disbursed is one of the largest single cash interventions in recent years and underscores the government’s reliance on direct transfers as a quick-response poverty alleviation tool.

Going forward, analysts say close monitoring of the programme will be essential to determine its impact on household welfare and its sustainability within Nigeria’s strained fiscal environment.