The Federal Government has disbursed approximately ₦688 billion to more than 9.2 million Nigerian households under its Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HOPE-CT) initiative, aimed at cushioning the economic pressures faced by vulnerable citizens.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that the programme provides conditional financial support of ₦75,000 to beneficiaries, paid in three instalments to help mitigate the impact of ongoing economic reforms.
Brandspur Politics reports that the cash transfer scheme is anchored on the National Social Register and requires beneficiaries to undergo National Identification Number (NIN) or Bank Verification Number (BVN) verification to ensure transparency, accountability and accurate targeting of eligible households.
According to the minister, over 9.17 million beneficiaries have received the initial tranche of payments, while additional millions have accessed subsequent instalments, with disbursement processes still ongoing across the country.
He explained that the programme, which runs from November 2023 through February 2026, is designed to strengthen household resilience, reduce poverty levels and provide short-term financial relief to low-income families impacted by macroeconomic adjustments.
The minister further highlighted that women constitute a significant majority of beneficiaries, accounting for 58.7 per cent of the total recipients, underscoring the programme’s focus on supporting households where women play central economic and caregiving roles.
Officials involved in the implementation of the initiative have maintained that the digital verification framework helps minimise fraud, improve efficiency in beneficiary selection and ensure that funds reach intended recipients without leakages.
The HOPE-CT programme forms part of broader government interventions targeted at social protection, with an emphasis on direct financial assistance as a tool for economic inclusion and poverty alleviation.
Authorities have indicated that the programme will continue to be monitored and refined to improve coverage, enhance delivery systems and ensure that more eligible Nigerians benefit from future phases of the intervention.
