At least 5.5 million Nigerian households are currently receiving cash transfers from the Federal Government, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, has revealed.
Speaking at the inaugural National Steering Committee meeting of the Act Naija project in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Doro, represented by his aide Abimbola Fasanu, said the ministry is focused on strengthening social protection systems to tackle poverty, vulnerability, and humanitarian challenges across the country.
“Key programmes include Conditional Cash Transfer, the Grant for Vulnerable Groups, N-POWER, GEEP, Homegrown School Feeding, and National Social Safety-Net Coordination,” he said. “Over 19.78 million households have been verified in the National Social Register, while 5.5 million households currently benefit from cash transfers. Micro-credit schemes are also supporting livelihoods for over 5 million Nigerians, with strong participation from women and youth in all 774 local government areas.”
Dr. Doro added that the ministry is working with stakeholders to review and update the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP), ensuring it reflects evolving socio-economic realities and aligns with government priorities.
On the Act Naija Project, he said the committee is critical to guiding efforts across stakeholders, promoting transparency, and delivering measurable impact for vulnerable households. He called on members to serve with professionalism, dedication, and integrity.
Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), described the committee’s inauguration as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s social protection system and ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
