The Federal Government of Nigeria has expanded its National Cash Transfer Programme to reach 15 million vulnerable citizens, with the Oyo State Government stepping up efforts to ensure that indigent residents fully benefit from the initiative.
The announcement was made by the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, during a stakeholder sensitisation and awareness meeting on the National Social Safety Nets Programme – Scale-Up, held on Thursday at DSC Hotel, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mofoluwake Ibitoye, Balogun emphasised that social protection remains a vital tool for tackling poverty and economic vulnerability. She noted that the state’s Cash Transfer Unit has made significant progress in reaching targeted households and lifting many residents out of extreme poverty.
“The stakeholder meeting was convened to deepen understanding of the programme’s objectives, strengthen collaboration, promote effective community sensitisation, and enhance the visibility and acceptance of this impactful initiative,” she said.
The scaled-up program, coordinated by the National Cash Transfer Office in Abuja, will provide ₦25,000 in three tranches to each of the 15 million beneficiaries, including those in the state’s segment of the National Social Register.
Balogun commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his consistent support of social welfare initiatives and lauded cash transfer officers for their patriotism and integrity in implementing the program.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Intervention and Donor Funds, Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo, represented by Mrs. Temitope Fagbola, revealed that over 150,000 households in Oyo State have already benefited from the program in the past six months. She explained that the funds are paid directly into verified bank accounts linked to beneficiaries’ National Identification Numbers (NINs) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs) to ensure transparency.
“Though the amount may seem modest, it represents a meaningful investment in the well-being of our people and a clear statement of hope from the government,” Adedayo said.
The State Programme Manager, Akintunde Gbadamosi, added that only individuals listed on the State Social Register with valid NINs are eligible for support. He noted that efforts are underway to streamline the disbursement process by linking beneficiaries to debit cards and personal accounts that receive funds directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Representatives from the National Orientation Agency, the National Identity Management Commission, and the Department of State Services praised the program as timely and impactful, especially given the current economic challenges from fuel subsidy removal and currency volatility. They pledged continued collaboration in public sensitisation, security, and identity verification to ensure the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
