The Federal Government has announced plans to expand its direct cash transfer programme to reach more poor and vulnerable Nigerians, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of ongoing economic reforms.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, disclosed this on Tuesday at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch in Abuja.
According to Edun, the initiative currently benefits over 15 million households nationwide and remains a key tool in providing relief to citizens while economic adjustments take effect.
“There is an attempt to ensure that the pains of reform are immediately alleviated. That’s why there is a transparent, accountable, and robust system of providing direct payments to 15 million households,” Edun said.
He explained that the government’s payment system operates digitally and is anchored on transparency and accountability. Each beneficiary, he noted, is verified by name and national identity number before receiving funds through a bank account or mobile wallet.
“In some places, people say they haven’t heard of anyone receiving the payments. We immediately call for the data to verify this because each individual is identified by name, national identity number, and paid digitally—either to a bank account or mobile wallet. There is accountability, transparency, and a record,” he added.
The minister announced that the programme will be scaled up to accommodate more households, particularly at the grassroots level. He also unveiled a new ward-based development initiative that will channel resources directly to Nigeria’s 8,809 wards across 774 local government areas.
“This will empower economically active people at the ward level, small businesses and cottage industries—by providing support and financing. It’s a key element in ensuring that the benefits of current reforms and improvements reach right down to the local level,” Edun said.
Also speaking at the event, Founder of the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership, Arunma Oteh, called for stronger investment in infrastructure and human capital to drive sustainable development.
She noted that Nigeria must attract “patient capital” to close its infrastructure gap, comparing the country’s low investment rate to that of China.
“China, over the years, invested 24 per cent of its GDP in infrastructure. At best, we do 4 to 5 per cent. If we want to bridge the infrastructure gap, we must raise this to at least 12 per cent,” she said.
Oteh further urged policymakers to prioritize youth empowerment and leadership development, stressing that long-term national progress depends on consistent investment in both people and infrastructure.
