The Federal Government has begun disbursing ₦25,000 to over 9 million vulnerable households under the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) programme, marking the first phase of a broader ₦75,000 support package designed to ease economic hardship and strengthen social protection across the country.
The rollout, announced in Abuja by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, signals one of the largest direct cash interventions currently underway, with millions of Nigerians already receiving payments aimed at cushioning the effects of rising living costs.
According to official figures presented at the ministerial briefing, no fewer than 9,178,837 households have received the first ₦25,000 tranche. The payments form part of a structured three-part disbursement plan, with each beneficiary expected to receive a total of ₦75,000 in phases.
Doro confirmed that the programme is already advancing beyond the initial stage, noting that about 7.2 million households have received the second tranche, while over 6.4 million have accessed the third payment. He added that disbursement is ongoing nationwide to ensure that all verified beneficiaries receive the full amount.
“These figures represent not just statistics, but millions of households whose dignity and resilience are being supported through deliberate government action,” Doro said during the briefing.
The HoPE-CT initiative is being implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up (NASSP-SU), and is positioned as a key component of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to address poverty through structured, data-driven interventions rather than temporary relief measures.
Officials explained that the staggered payment system is designed to provide consistent support over time, helping households meet essential needs such as food, healthcare, and education, while also enabling small-scale economic activities that can improve income stability.
Doro emphasised that the programme goes beyond immediate financial assistance, describing it as part of a long-term transition towards a more sustainable social protection system. “We are moving from short-term humanitarian responses to a system that provides structured and predictable support for vulnerable Nigerians,” he said.
To ensure credibility and accountability, the government has tied eligibility to verified data systems. Beneficiaries must be registered in the National Social Register and validated using either the National Identification Number (NIN) or Bank Verification Number (BVN), a process officials say has helped reduce fraud and duplication.
The minister issued a clear warning to the public regarding fraudulent activities surrounding the programme. “Let me be clear: no Nigerian should pay a single naira to benefit from this programme. We are working with security agencies to identify and prosecute offenders,” he said.
Data presented by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) shows that over 13.2 million records have been submitted for verification, with 11.8 million successfully validated so far. According to NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, this process is critical to ensuring that the intervention reaches the intended recipients.
“This is what accountable governance looks like, ensuring that social investments reach the right people,” she stated.
The programme also reflects a deliberate effort to support women, who make up a significant share of beneficiaries. Government data indicates that over 5.3 million recipients—about 58.7 per cent—are women, a move aimed at strengthening household welfare and promoting financial inclusion at the grassroots level.
Beyond individual payments, the initiative is anchored within a broader reform framework known as the One Humanitarian – One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS). The system integrates multiple national databases, including the National Social Register and a Unified National Beneficiary Register, to improve targeting and track progress in lifting households out of poverty.
Doro described this integrated approach as a shift in how poverty is addressed in Nigeria. “We will no longer just manage poverty; we will provide a clear pathway for Nigerians to exit it,” he said.
The National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO), which oversees implementation, noted that the programme is supported by an $800 million facility from the World Bank. Initially designed to reach 10.4 million households, the scheme has since been expanded to cover up to 15 million households nationwide.
Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, the National Programme Manager of NCTO, described the intervention as “people-centred,” stressing that it is intended not only to provide relief but also to help families withstand economic shocks and build longer-term resilience.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris also highlighted the scale and impact of the programme, describing it as one of the most significant social interventions in recent years. He noted that early results indicate that the payments are already providing relief to millions of households.
Stakeholders, including development partners such as the World Bank, have pointed to the programme’s use of digital payment systems and integrated data frameworks as key strengths. These mechanisms, they say, enhance transparency, improve efficiency, and reduce the risk of leakages.
As disbursement continues across states, officials maintain that the phased ₦25,000 payments represent more than temporary support, but a structured effort to stabilise vulnerable households and lay the groundwork for broader economic participation.
