The National Cash Transfer Office has announced a collaboration with the Ogun State Government to strengthen the implementation of the National Social Safety Nets Programme Scale-Up (NASSP-SU).
At a stakeholders’ forum held in Abeokuta on Thursday, the Ogun Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, emphasized the need to ensure that conditional cash transfers reach the rightful beneficiaries.
Represented by Jola Oyeneye, Permanent Secretary of the Public Transformation Office, Mr Onasanya stated that many countries around the world implement similar social protection measures to reduce the effects of economic hardship on citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
He urged programme managers to ensure that the government’s initiative is not hijacked by unscrupulous elements. Onasanya added that the Ogun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, remains fully committed to a transparent implementation of the cash transfer programme.
Also speaking at the forum, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Funmi Efuwape, described the initiative as a “lifeline for the poor and vulnerable.” She said the programme represents a clear commitment to poverty alleviation but highlighted the importance of spreading more awareness among potential beneficiaries.
“This programme is a way of giving back to the people. It is meant for those at the very bottom who are struggling to feed themselves,” she said.
“However, I think more awareness is needed because some beneficiaries are not even aware of their eligibility. This time, we will involve ward chairmen at the grassroots level to drive the process.”
Funmi Baker, Programme Manager for Cash Transfer in Ogun, explained that the initiative is designed to support 15 million poor and vulnerable households identified from the national social register. She pointed out that even small amounts of money can make a big difference in rural areas.
“Some people may think the money is too small, but what N1,000 means to you is different from what it means to rural dwellers,” she noted. “Initially, the federal government gave N5,000 monthly to poor and vulnerable households, and we have seen families that started small businesses with it. Since 2023, under President Bola Tinubu, the amount has been increased to N25,000, to be disbursed three times, making a total of N75,000 per household.”
One of the participants, community leader Adedamola Fatai from Abeokuta South Local Government, praised the programme, describing it as “well-organised.” He commended the arrangements put in place to ensure Community Development Associations (CDAs) are included in the process.